26th Annual Student Research Conference
Indigenous Mountain Communities and the Preservation of Mountain Ecosystems: A Case Study in Nepal
Kyle C. LaVelle
Dr. Scott Alberts, Faculty Mentor
Mountain ecosystems provide a wide array of services for downstream, human populations, yet rapid climate change is disproportionately effecting these regions. Similarly, rapid changes in the global economy have greatly impacted the social and economic fabric of indigenous mountain communities. The role their traditional knowledge plays in preserving natural resources must be recognized and supported through policy, outreach, and research. Using Nepal as a case study and drawing from the disciplines of economics, ecology, and anthropology, empirical research will be conducted on the perception and response of these communities to external economic and social pressures. Additionally, potential community-centered sustainable development initiatives will be outlined, as well as their importance in reaching the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the Sustainable Development agenda for the National Planning Commission of Nepal.
Keywords: Sustainable Mountain Development, Indigenous rights, Economics, Nepal, Ecosystem Services, Climate Change, Globalization, Poverty Alleviation
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 309-4
Location: VH 1324
Time: 1:45