Challenges for Environmental Management in the Headwaters of the Western Himalaya: An Introduction

This paper describes the challenges for environmental management in the headwaters of the Western Himalaya. Important causes and consequences of degradation in these headwaters have been explained. Forest clearing, fire, mining and other activities are causing deforestation and land degradation which result into threat to the survival of plant species and their habitats, low regeneration potential of some species, soil erosion and runoff, slope failures, landslides and plant succession problems. Proper measures for the environmental management of these headwaters are essential.