Developing the Himalaya: development as if livelihoods mattered

Abstract

Showcasing papers from a panel at the American Anthropological Association in 2012, the Introduction to this special issue on Developing the Himalaya highlights how each article in this collection advances critical perspectives and emerging themes on the politics of development planning and practice, with a specific emphasis on natural resource use. The author provides context for each of the articles featured, highlighting the pressing issue of survival challenges and the need for liveable features in the Himalaya, while identifying the key contributions of each submission. Covering development trends and politics in India and China, the contributions point to the need for participatory, people-centric policies that encourage meaningful capacity building while fostering resilience in this ecologically significant and culturally rich geographical region.