PRASHER, R.S.THAKUR, MAMTA2016-09-022016-09-022016http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/75220ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Livelihood and Conservation Issues: A Case study of Great Himalayan National Park Ecozone villages” was conducted during 2015-2016 in ecozone of Great Himalayan National Park situated in Himachal Pradesh. Proportional allocation- stratified random sampling technique was used in the given study. At overall level the average family size was around 5 persons, out of which 54.39 per cent were males and rest were females and the sample households making 835.05 of females per thousand of males. The overall literacy rate and literacy index was estimated 74 per cent and 1.68 respectively. Agriculture was the main occupation as 74 per cent of work force practice farming as the main occupation in the study area. Average size of land holding among sample households was found to be 0.92 ha of which 40.83 per cent was cultivated area with 148.92 per cent of cropping intensity. For timber, Deodar, Kail, Rai etc are the common choice and Ban, Kail , Deodar also fulfill the fuelwood requirement which goes from 15-20 Kg in warm months to about 40-50 Kg in cold months. About 28 Kg of medicinal plants are collected annually by sample households to meet their commercial demand.94 per cent households find no access inside Park. 78 per cent agree for the conservation of wildlife, rest have complaint about the depredation of crop and livestock and increasing human-wildlife conflict. Only 28 per cent were actively engaged in alternative income generating livelihood activities carried out by BTCA. Regarding livelihood asset possession, physical capital was found low for half of the sample households. Marginal farmers had low access for all the five capitals (physical, social, natural, human, financial and social). It was found to be increasing with the increase in farm size. Education, social participation, size of land holding, housing status and income from forestry had significant contribution in influencing the level of overall livelihood assets status. Basic infrastructure was lacking in the area. Alternative income generating activities should engage more and more people to lessen their dependence on forest to meet commercial demand. Effective conservation of forest resources can be successful if full participation of local community is involved.en<h1>You have exceeded your usage quota. Please contact gshukla [at] iitk.ac.in </h1>Ecozone,Livelihood and Conservation,Himalayan National ParkThesis