Ives & Messerli's Himalayan Dilemma
1. Ives, J. D., & Messerli, B. (1989). The Himalayan dilemma : reconciling development and conservation. London ; New York: United Nations University : Routledge.
Ives and Messerli’s pan-Himalayan study (online here) is at once a solid introduction to physical and human Himalayan geography and a masterful work addressing the complexities inherent in the “environmental crisis” afflicting the region. Moreover, the authors begin with a novel premise that questions the very basis of that crisis vis-a-vis the prescriptions traditionally offered by international bodies and their conservation ethos. While their ideas are critical of much of the thinking of the 1970s and 1980s (Messerli did pioneering work on this himself) that focused on an imminent environmental disaster in the Himalayas, it actually echoed many of the environmental activists on the ground who saw conservation policies boomerang against the very communities that were struggling to save their commons. To their credit, the authors give space for several voices from the region to express their views on the issues on an equal footing with scientists.
From an initial preview of his latest book Himalayan perceptions : environmental change and the well-being of mountain peoples. (London: Routledge, 2004), Ives has continued this critique of what he terms the “Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation.” As a celebrated expert and geography professor at Carleton University, I hope to approach Ives in the near future as his views will definitely aid in setting environmental policies congruent with the needs of mountain people. As the central concern of my doctoral work, balancing development and the health of ecosystems in conjunction with safeguarding the interests of mountain communities in the emerging trans-Himalayan economy can benefit from Ives’ expertise.
Ives and Messerli’s pan-Himalayan study (online here) is at once a solid introduction to physical and human Himalayan geography and a masterful work addressing the complexities inherent in the “environmental crisis” afflicting the region. Moreover, the authors begin with a novel premise that questions the very basis of that crisis vis-a-vis the prescriptions traditionally offered by international bodies and their conservation ethos. While their ideas are critical of much of the thinking of the 1970s and 1980s (Messerli did pioneering work on this himself) that focused on an imminent environmental disaster in the Himalayas, it actually echoed many of the environmental activists on the ground who saw conservation policies boomerang against the very communities that were struggling to save their commons. To their credit, the authors give space for several voices from the region to express their views on the issues on an equal footing with scientists.
From an initial preview of his latest book Himalayan perceptions : environmental change and the well-being of mountain peoples. (London: Routledge, 2004), Ives has continued this critique of what he terms the “Theory of Himalayan Environmental Degradation.” As a celebrated expert and geography professor at Carleton University, I hope to approach Ives in the near future as his views will definitely aid in setting environmental policies congruent with the needs of mountain people. As the central concern of my doctoral work, balancing development and the health of ecosystems in conjunction with safeguarding the interests of mountain communities in the emerging trans-Himalayan economy can benefit from Ives’ expertise.
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