Understanding the vulnerability and resilience of mountain communities: an appraisal of the Phojal Nalla watershed, Himachal Pradesh, India

Johnson, R.M, Edwards, E, Gardner, J and Diduck, A (2015) Understanding the vulnerability and resilience of mountain communities: an appraisal of the Phojal Nalla watershed, Himachal Pradesh, India. In: Perth III: Mountains of Our Future Earth, 4-8 October 2015, Perth, UK.

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Abstract

This research examines the heritage-vulnerability-resilience nexus in the Phojal Nalla mountain catchment (Kullu Valley, Indian Himalaya) following a natural disaster in 1994. It assesses the contributions mountain community cultural heritage (tangible and intangible) makes to the vulnerability-resilience condition, in respect to natural hazard events in these locations. The societal consequences of, and responses to, the 1994 flood are explored using multiple methods to triangulate knowledge, including: semi-structured interviews (n=55, including local villagers, school teachers, government officials and private and public developers); walk-over reconnaissance; and historical archive and contemporary data searches in India and the UK. The outputs are: (1) documentation of the current (2013-2015) heritage-vulnerability-resilience status in the lower Phojal Nalla catchment; (2) evaluation of the extent to which cultural heritage/societal responses have influenced the development of resilience; (3) recommendations of approaches to enhance local resilience, and consideration of the transferability of these lessons between different mountain communities; and, (4) identification of new research questions, in the context of prevailing natural environmental change, the rapid evolution of modern telecommunication technologies, and growing development pressures (e.g. tourism, hydroelectric power). These questions highlight challenges that international disaster risk reduction networks need to further explore to achieve sustainable development in mountain regions.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions: School of Sciences
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Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2015 17:08
Last Modified: 22 Feb 2022 14:50
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/6865
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