Restoration of Sikkim Hill Resources Vis-a-vis Watershed Planning

Abstract

Geomorphologically Sikkim hills are the upper part of the catchment of Teesta river and its tributaries. Till the beginning of 20th century , people of this State were self sufficient depending on agriculture and forest produce and were in complete harmony with nature. In the Second Millennium exponential growth of human population resulted in the degradation of natural resources to meet the demand of agricultural land for food requirement , pressure on pasture land to increasing livestock , infrastructure (road , city dwellers and other support services) development , and demand of mountain resources through market and tourism development. The Teesta and its tributaries are divided into many natural micro-watersheds by prominent streams , can be effectively utilized on integrated watershed basis to protect the natural resources (land , water , forest etc.) for the ecological balance of Sikkim hills. It is a multidisciplinary holistic approach to improve the living standard of people by diversifying mountain economy through amalgamation of local wisdom and latest scientific knowhow.