Managing Ecosystems for Women’s Health and Sustainable Development: An Illustration from the Kumaon, Uttaranchal

Abstract

This paper examines gender issues in natural resource management, based on the experience of mining in the Kumaon, Uttaranchal. The method of analysis followed attempts a breakdown of activity patterns and responsibilities by gender. This is used to identify who gains and who loses with different patterns of resource use. It is observed that women’s protests against mining in this area make the point that the disruption of traditional livelihoods has weakened the ecosystem. Some general observations on appropriate interventions for sustainable resource use and development are derived from this. It is argued that local communities as well as policy makers need much more information and education on the implications of ecosystem health for communities.