Forest Management under Common Property Regimes in the Kumaon Himalaya

Abstract

"This paper explores local level forest use and management in the Kumaon Himalaya. It seeks to situate the ongoing research on forest resource use in the Kumaon Himalaya in the context of a larger conversation on common property use and management in mountain regions. More specifically, it examines why it is necessary to look at communities as relevant units of social organization for understanding resource use; the need to analyze the effects on resource use of stratification and differences within communities; and the importance of subjecting concepts such as 'community,' 'local,' and 'indigenous' to further reflection and refinement."