Eastern Himalayas
The Himalayas (Eastern)
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | Sub-national |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | India |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
The assessment in the eastern Himalayas includes the Darjeeling district expanding over an area of 3149 sq. km in the state of West Bengal in Eastern India. |
Geographical scale of the assessment
Sub-national
Country or countries covered
India
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
The assessment in the eastern Himalayas includes the Darjeeling district expanding over an area of 3149 sq. km in the state of West Bengal in Eastern India.
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
The objectives of the assessment are to examine the trends in ecosystem services, in relation to the direct (Change in Local Land use Pattern, Biotic Pressure, Species Introduction or Removal) and indirect drivers (Population growth, Family Fragmentation, Economic) that affect the ability of ecosystems to provide services essential to human well being. In addition, the assessment will attempt to evaluate various alternative management scenarios and recommend potential response options that could inform policy.
Mandate for the assessment
The aim is to build up the scientific base for future policy frameworks and improve the manner in which ecosystems are being managed in this region. Based upon this future policies can be designed in such a manner that the implementation of the policies also takes into account the management and sustainable conservation of the ecosystem wealth of the region.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
www.maweb.org/documents/document.299.aspx.pdf
System(s) assessed
- Forest and woodland
- Mountain
Species groups assessed
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Water
- Medicinal resources
- Energy/fuel
Regulating
- Climate regulation
- Regulation of water flows
- Erosion prevention
- Pollination
- Maintainence of soil fertility
Supporting Services/Functions
- Habitat maintenance
- Soil formation and fertility
- Life cycle maintenance
Cultural Services
- Recreation and tourism
- Aesthetic Enjoyment
- Inspiration for culture
- Art and design
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
No
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2004
Year assessment finished
2004
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
One off
Assessment outputs
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Scenarios
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
Not mentioned in the final report
Key stakeholder groups engaged
Not mentioned in the final report
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Citizen science
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Not mentioned in the final report
Assessment reports peer reviewed
No
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Not mentioned in the final report
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
Not mentioned in the final report
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Not mentioned in the final report
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Not mentioned in the final report
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
How have gaps in capacity been communicated to the different stakeholders
Not mentioned in the final report
Knowledge generation
Gaps in knowledge identified from the assessment
Not mentioned in the final report
How gaps in knowledge have been communicated to the different stakeholders
Not mentioned in the final report
