Publications
Mountain areas have, in general, overcome farming difficulties and the handicaps of geographical peripheral location and low competivity. As the agricultural sector is of significant relevance for land use in these areas the different farm management sytems have considerable implications on the regional environment and the rural economy.Mountain farming has been a policy subject since the 1970s....
Within the ISDEMA project, a re-assessment of the basic requirements for sustainable development in mountain regions has been discussed. The case studies from a series of different mountain ranges in Europe underpin the need to relate the various sectoral topics, such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, transport, water and energy use to innovative strategies for mountain regions. This includes a...
Recently, as evidenced by the United Nations' Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and the subsequent Convention on Biological Diversity, the concern for biodiversity conservation has been increasing worldwide. The UNCED recommended the integration of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into all national and international economic decision...
In Argentina, actions for the conservation of the vicuña have, until now, concentrated on regulating the commercialization of this species' valuable fiber. Even so, illegal commerce continues: in April 2000, the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Province of Salta (SMADS), in the Northwest of the country, had seized 65 Kg (143 pounds) of fiber taken from 213 pelts...
Nepal has established an extensive network of protected areas to conserve biodiversity. Several problems relating to management of these protected areas have emerged, such as wildlife poaching and park-people conflicts. To address these problems, local communities have been given more responsibilities in protected area management by creating new categories of protected areas. This research...
Water is vital for increasing the agricultural production. It is also in great demand for domestic and industrial use. Further it is an important medium for generating cheap hydroelectric power. Water is thus regarded as a resource among resources as all other resource bases have no meaning without this resource and life is not possible in its absence. The supply of drinking water to rural and...
The Andes and the Himalayas are the two most massive and extended mountain ecosystems in the world. Despite some important geographical differences between them, they share many commonalities. In addition, they have both witnessed the development of ancient and complex civilizations and are currently inhabited by rural communities that carry an ancient heritage including traditional patterns of...
Mountain inhabitants all over the world, often guileless and trusting people, are gradually waking up to their vulnerabilities and there is growing concern among them over the loss of their immediate habitat and the usurption of their resources and livelihood patterns by vested interests. These concerns have found articulation in Chapter 13 of the Agenda 21 document under the heading: Managing...
In a few short minutes let me give you my own biased views. Even though I was born a flatlander, I picked the Green Mountain State as a final career dwelling place. From my home I can see two major mountain ranges and a number of presumptuous "wanna be" hills that carry mountain names. I can also see two paths of response to "Why mountains?" (1) "Why are they important?...