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Author Li, J., McCarthy, T. M., Wang, H., Weckworth, B. V., Shaller, G. B., Mishra, C., Lu, Z., Beissinger, S. R
Title Climate refugia of snow leopards in High Asia Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Biological Conservation Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue (up) 203 Pages 188-196
Keywords Snow leopard, Habitat, Climate change, Refugia, High Asia, Conservation
Abstract Rapidwarming in High Asia is threatening its unique ecosystemand endemic species, especially the endangered

snow leopard (Panthera uncia). Snow leopards inhabit the alpine zone between snow line and tree line, which

contracts and expands greatly during glacier-interglacial cycles. Here we assess impacts of climate change on

global snow leopard habitat from the last glacial maximum (LGM; 21 kyr ago) to the late 21st century. Based

on occurrence records of snow leopards collected across all snow leopard range countries from 1983 to 2015,

we built a snow leopard habitat model using the maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt 3.3.3k). Then we

projected this model into LGM, mid-Holocene and 2070. Analysis of snow leopard habitat map from LGM to

2070 indicates that three large patches of stable habitat have persisted from the LGM to present in the Altai,

Qilian, and Tian Shan-Pamir-Hindu Kush-Karakoram mountain ranges, and are projected to persist through the

late 21st century. These climatically suitable areas account for about 35% of the snow leopard's current extent,

are large enough to support viable populations, and should function as refugia for snow leopards to survive

through both cold and warm periods. Existence of these refugia is largely due to the unique mountain environment

in High Asia, which maintains a relatively constant arid or semi-arid climate. However, habitat loss leading

to fragmentation in the Himalaya and Hengduan Mountains, as well as increasing human activities, will present

conservation challenges for snow leopards and other sympatric species.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1449
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Author Singh, R., Kerven, C.
Title Pastoralism in South Asia: Contemporary stresses and adaptations of Himalayan pastoralists Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Springer Open – Pastoralism Abbreviated Journal
Volume 13 Issue (up) 21 Pages 1-10
Keywords Traditional knowledge, Labour, State policies, Local institutions, Access, Climate Change, Uncertainty, Adaptations
Abstract We discuss the main findings in the Special issue on Pastoralism in South Asia from the eight papers based on research conducted in the Himalayan region of South Asia. An overview is presented of pastoralism in the Himalayan region, including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan. Drawing parallels with the global stresses to pastoralists, papers in this special issue highlighted three sets of contemporary stresses to the pastoralists of the Himalayan region viz. (a) lack of herding labour, associated changing aspirations of youth and decline in traditional knowledge systems; (b) continued stresses from the state and between the formal and informal institutions; and (c) climatic stresses and associated impacts on the rangeland and livestock health. A synthesis of findings from all eight case studies suggests how the issues around pastoral livelihoods and rangeland management in the Himalayan region are entangled across social, political and ecological dimensions. However, instead of only being impacted by the stresses, the pastoral communities are showing adaptations to various kinds of uncertainties and variabilities. Based on these findings from across eight sites in the Himalayan region, we argue that understanding of the problems as well as proposed solutions from the policymakers should be tailored according to the particular social, political and ecological contexts. Other than the issues given prominence in this special issue, the role of markets and social security are some

of the other important concerns to be addressed in the region, which can be best addressed by creating an interface between pastoralists and policymakers, practitioners and the government, while making the best use of pastoral knowledge and their way of life.
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Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1726
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Author Luxom, N. M., Singh, R., Theengh, L., Shrestha, P., Sharma, R. K.
Title Pastoral practices, pressures, Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice Open Access and human-wildlife relations in high altitude rangelands of eastern Himalaya: A case study of the Dokpa pastoralists of North Sikkim Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Springer Open Abbreviated Journal
Volume 12 Issue (up) 37 Pages 1-19
Keywords Pastoralism, Socio-political stresses, Institutions, Climatic change, Free-ranging dogs, Participatory rangeland conservation
Abstract The pastoral practices of the Dokpa herders of North Sikkim have been transforming in response to the geo-political and socio-economic changes in the region. Against the backdrop of these changes, this study aims to understand the current state of pastoralism in North Sikkim with three specific objectives: (i) to understand the current rangeland management practices of the Dokpa community; (ii) to examine the social, political and ecological stresses to continuity of traditional pastoral livelihoods; and (iii) to document the baseline on human-wildlife relations. We focused on one of the two subset populations of Dokpa herders of North Sikkim and, using a mixed-methods approach, conducted 12 semi-structured interviews, four key respondent interviews and two focused group discussions. The resource use by the Dokpas is unique, and unlike the rest of the Himalayan range, they access the high-altitude pastures in winters and the lower ones in summer. Pastures in the higher altitudes experience heavier winds, which leads to lower levels of snow deposition — thus ensuring access to dried pasture forage for livestock during the lean season. The decisions pertaining to resource management are taken by the head of the local institution Dzumsa, the Pipon. Primary stresses to the continuation of traditional pastoral practices are fragmentation of pastureland post- Sino-Indian war of 1962 and the consequent establishment of armed forces, livestock depredation by free-ranging dogs followed by wild predators and continued socio-economic marginalisation of the pastoralists under a supposedly egalitarian institutional regime. Extreme climatic events in the recent past have also contributed to significant livestock loss. Dokpa transhumant practices are on an overall decline, with most members of the younger generation shifting to non-herding livelihoods. The availability of alternate livelihood options with the improved connectivity, access to education and development of the tourism industry has led to changing aspirations of the younger generations. In only two of the twelve households we surveyed, the younger generation continues herding, while the rest have moved to the cities and towns. In terms of human-wildlife relations, the respondents mostly hold a positive attitude towards wildlife and conservation actions despite livestock predation by wild predators, since the free-ranging dogs cause the highest livestock loss. With the inputs from the Dokpas, we provide recommendations towards a facilitative environment for the continuation of the traditional herding in the region, which is critical for the survival of pastoralism in North Sikkim, presently hinged on less than two dozen of elderly Dokpas.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number SLN @ rakhee @ Serial 1700
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