Contested nature of protected areas the case of Tirthan valley in great himalayan national park conservation area

Abstract

The present research work is a critical evaluation of humannature dynamics and places the idea of Nature in the context newlineof sustainability of protected areas. The research is conceptual and pragmatic that delves into a debate on contested notion of nature , its intrinsic and external constructions and the way it is used in ecological conservation. The methodological newlineframework followed ecological and social approach to examine evolving hues of human-nature interactions and transformation of a traditional landscape into a protected area. By examining nature in/of protected areas through landscape characterisation, land transformation, and conservation practices, this study contributes in understanding of human-nature negotiations and production of contestations. The objectives of the study were to examine the Nature in/of Tirthan Valley and its characterisation; nature of traditional human ecology; landscape transformation, the emergence of protected area and; its contested nature . The study through landscape characterisation reveals a unique identity of Tirthan Valley that resonate the idea of Nature worthy of conservation. More importantly, its traditional cultural landscape exhibit imprints of the physical landscape and interconnectedness of human and nature. However, the nature of human ecology has evolved over the time as the area got transformed into anthropogenically dominated landscape that led to exploitation of resources. The creation of protected area was an attempt to conserve its ecological character. However, several contestations have also appeared in the landscape. Consequently, the conservation and sustainable development of the area has become more challenging. The research concludes that only by understanding the reality of this protected area and by addressing the conservational and development challenges of local community, the sustainability of the landscape can be ensured. newline newline