Himalayan Perceptions: Environmental Change and the Well-Being of Mountain Peoples

imalayan Perceptionsidentifies the confusion of misunderstanding, vested interests, changing perceptions, and institutional unwillingness to base Himalayan development policy on sound scientific knowledge. It analyzes the large amount of new research published since 1989 and thoroughly refutes the entire construct. It examines recent social and economic developments in the region and identifies warfare, guerrilla activities, and widespread oppression of poor ethnic minorities as the primary cause for the instability that pervades the entire region. Ives argued that the development controversy is further confounded by exaggerated reporting, even falsification, by news media, environmental publications, and agency reports alike.

Jack D. Ives is Senior Advisor on Sustainable Mountain Development to The United Nations University, Tokyo, and Honorary Research Professor, Carleton University, Canada.