Upstream, downstream, china, india

Upstream, Downstream, China, India: The Politics of Environment in the

Himalayan Region

By

Piers M. Blaikie and Joshua S.S. Muldavin School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia

Department of Geography, Sarah Lawrence College

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Risk and Mountain Forestry Policy

Presented by

Javed Iqbal Mountain Forestry, Department of Ecology BOKU, Vienna

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Risk and Mountain Forest Policy

Himalayan Environmental Crises- State of the Game or game of the state

•Environmental narrative - refine by academic researcher from last 30 years, rapidly rejected in mid 1980’s - but not in national one •This article , trace parallel national academic and policy debates, both highly political, in two major countries •Also examine – interactions of international and different national discourse. •Role of sciences in environmental policy in two national settings – national and subnational politics •Also critically examine the policymakers.

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Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation (THED)

•Anthropogenic or accelerated erosion is serious problems in steep sloped and fragile natural environment. (Population growth, livestock, less effective agriculture technology) •Cultivation on steeper slope, clearance of forest (agriculture and pasture) Unsustainable use of fuel wood and fodder. •Causes accelerated erosion , sedimentation, and sever flooding.

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Main Rivers

India- Kosi, Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Beas, Ganges and Upper Yamuna China- Yangtze, Yaunnan, Red river, Nu river, Brahmaputra, Gar Zangbo, Salween, Mekong, SangQu and Black river

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The Demise of THED: state of game and its impact on policy

•Possible change in policy- link between science and policy •Policy maker, response to new information and put it on agendas for implementation •The Model – predicts an Untroubled passage of reasons – implementation , hopes and improved outcomes

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A Summary of major events in upstream –downstream discourse in China and India

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India

The main actors •Thirteen state – two recently include- Union of state in New Dehli •NCS 1992- for the implementation of Policy and projects •High heterogeneity between the state •Indian Forest Services •Institutionalization, Project, Research Education

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China

The main actors •Two autonomous regions- Tibet and Southern and western edges Xinjiang- and three provinces Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai •High level of heterogeneity •Conflict between central government and problematic hinterlands •Game of Power

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Conclusion

•Both countries and mutually exclusive for rehabilitation activities. •Both search for the environmental changes in the region • The actors play vital role •Political issues •Community mobilization •Awareness •Epistemic community •Education •Legislation •Multilateral and bilateral funding agency • De centralization •Power and •Scientific activities

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Summary

•Focused (India and China) •HKH- Face changes in the environment, (Through research, international environmental agendas and institutions and various practices at domestic politics at national level) •1980’s-Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation (THED) has not been reflected in domestic policy. •Study has been made for comparative analysis of upstream & downstream. • Rejection of THED, are simply ignored by the national player “Game of state”

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All the material were taken from the paper for reference

Thanks