Socio-economic study of rakchham-chhitkul wildlife sanctuary in district Kinnaur (H.P.)

The wildlife protected areas of India have now started receiving considerably very heavy influx of visitors owing to their unique attractions. But major problems face today is the reconciliation of short term and often contradictory human interests with the interests of the fauna and flora. In this area the people living in the surrounding villages are directly or indirectly dependent on the physical resources available in the protected areas for their livelihood or for enhancing the quality of their lives. Therefore, the Present study has been undertaken to collect the socio-economic data of the surrounding villages and this will help the planners to formulate and implement a long term development plan for the area. The present study pertain to socio-economic survey of the three villages namely Rakchham, Chhitkul and Badseri located in three different Panchayats i.e. Rakchham, Chhitkul and Badseri respectively of Kinnaur district of H.P. Village Chhitkul is located at an elevation of 4500m, Rakchham at 3000m and Badseri at 2800 mamsl. The people in these areas are well aware of the values of conserving social, cultural and biological resources. Apart from Hinduism people mostly follow Buddhism. People use water for drinking purpose, irrigation of crops, running watermills to grind grains, use of sawmills to make plank, etc. All crops are locally bred. Knowledge regarding different crops and different fields is distinct. 12 plant species were found to be used by local people for medicinal purposes under their traditional health care system. This aspect of cultivation of medicinal plants needs to be properly encouraged and understood for improving the condition of the people. Indigenous knowledge pertaining to the use of various plants for different purposes has been noted among the people of the study villages. The area is endowed with rich variety of wild edible species of food value. There is an urgent need to improve the utility value of these wild edible plants. The household level people living in the boundary of two ecosystems use the natural resources more efficiently. Migration of people especially in the Rakchham along with their cattle is normal practice during winters by the people. This helps in optimum resource utilize.