Integrated Land Use Management in the Eastern Himalayas : Vol. II : Focus on Mizoram

Contents: Preface. I. Land use chapters: 1. An introduction to Mizoram/Laltanpuii Ralte. 2. Emerging land use issues in Mizoram and and research priorities/F. Lalnunmawia, Tawnenga B. Gopichand and F. Lalriliana. 3. Is the fallow period shortening in Mizoram/Karlyn Eckman, Lalnunmawia Fanai, K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Lalnilawma, Laltanpuii Ralte and John Zothanzama. 4. Agricultural land use in Nagaland/Samadangla A.O. II. Water use chapters: 5. Current state of water law in Mizoram/Valerie Were, Mariya Guzner, Elizabeth Henley and Laltanpuii Ralte. 6. Water problems and prospects in Mizoram, India/K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva. 7. Analysis of water quality and biodiversity in and around Palak Lake in the Southern part of Mizoram, India/H. Lalramnghinglova and Lalmuansangi. III. Food security and socio-economic chapters: 8. Mautam phenomenon: a study of farmers observations/Lalnilawma. 9. Bamboo flowering in Mizoram: an ecological analysis and management of resources/F. Lalnunmawia. 10. Using molecular characterization as a tool for identification of fungi from Mizoram/John Zothanzama, Robert A. Blanchette and Samuel Redford, Benjamin W. Held Zohmangaiha, Josiah M.C. Vabeikhokhei. 11. Documentation of medicinal plants based on indigenous knowledge in Northeast India with reference to Mizoram/H. Lalramnghinglova, Zorinpuri Khiangte and H. Lallawmawma. 12. Some preliminary observations on age and gender roles in agriculture in Mizoram, India/Karlyn Eckman and Laltanpuii Ralte. IV. Conclusions: 13. Research needs and priorities for land and water use/Samadangla AO, Robert Blanchette, Karlyn Eckman, K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Lalnilawma, Lalnunmawia Fanai, Joseph Magner, Laltanpuii Ralte, Michele Schermann and John Zothanzama. Index. Why a focus on the Eastern Himalayas? There has been little research on farming and land use systems in the Eastern Himalayas in comparison with other regions in South and Southeast Asia. The majority of the population in the Eastern Himalayas depends upon subsistence-based agriculture, primarily shifting cultivation, and upon unimproved local water sources for survival. The hilly areas of the region are occupied by numerous and highly diverse minority communities that play a key role in managing natural resources. Nearby forests provide both timber and non-timber forest products such as bush meat, canes, rattans and mushrooms as supplemental sources of food, traditional medicines and income. But farmers lack access to new processes and technologies, extension information, storage facilities and market information.…