Vimal Khawas - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Vimal Khawas
Some aspects of urban water management in Darjeeling, Himalaya
Understanding Urbanisation in Northeast India, 2020
APN Science Bulletin, 12(1), 2022
Every year, South Asian countries suffer from declining agricultural outputs due to climate extre... more Every year, South Asian countries suffer from declining agricultural outputs due to climate extremes such as floods and droughts. Recurrent droughts have depressed rural economies and enhanced widespread hunger and human migration to South Asian cities (Miyan, 2015). Due to climatic changes, the region is projected to experience rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events in the long term (Trenberth et al., 2014). Accurate
Journal of Indian Water Works Association, 2022
Water remains the most important input for agriculture to have a positive yield in the end. In In... more Water remains the most important input for agriculture to have a positive yield in the end. In India agriculture is solely dependent on the annual monsoon and the groundwater, crops are prepared and planted keeping in mind the arrival of the monsoon. At present India is home to 17 percent of the world's population but it has just 4 percent of the world's total freshwater. India's agriculture sector accounts for 18.1 percent of the total economy and it gives employment opportunities to 58 percent of the total employed workforce. Several studies have found depletion of water resources could reduce 20 percent of Indian agricultural produce by 2025, directly affecting the food security of India. Things are not much different in the hilly region of the country. In many hilly areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Almora etc. water for drinking and agricultural activities is collected mainly from shallow wells and springs. However, discharge from these sources has decreased dramatically over the years primarily due to erratic rainfall, climate change and several other allied issues. Against this backdrop, this paper tries to analyse the nexus between water resource depletion and food security. It further attempts to understand how agriculture in the region has been affected over the years under dwindling water resources in the hilly region of the country.
Rising Asia Journal, ISSN 2583-1038, 2023
This article argues for an urgent need for greater India-China cooperation through increased conn... more This article argues for an urgent need for greater India-China cooperation through increased connectivity to tap the trade potential of the strategic location of Nathu-La at the Indo-China border. It also advocates the resumption of border trade through the Jelep-La route, located sixty-five miles from Kalimpong in West Bengal. Border trade can act as a confidence-building measure, paving the way for conflict management through economic integration. Despite the low trade volume, border trade can bridge the differences between the two hostile neighbors, and improve their bilateral ties. The study describes the patterns of trade between India and China during the last two decades, with a focus on border trade through Nathu-La in Sikkim. It argues that such trade is essential for India and China, the fastest-growing economies with a combined 38 percent of global population, and home to the largest number of young people for whose future security and prosperity the two countries cannot afford to have border disputes.
Policy Paper, 2021
The primary aim of this paper is to understand the Sikkim Himalaya in the context of the changing... more The primary aim of this paper is to understand the Sikkim Himalaya in the context of the changing environment and socio-economic dynamics in recent times, focusing particularly on hydropower projects. The study is based largely on a review of available secondary literature on the relevant issues. However, it is also supplemented by primary data extracted from various offices of the Government of Sikkim, offices of the Government of India, civil society organizations, focus group discussions with the affected people, discussions with senior officials of the state and central governments and hydropower development projects. The paper is primarily informed by a human security framework.
The Deccan Geographer, 2018
Jàmbá - Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 2019
The last 60 years have witnessed advanced technological innovation for disaster risk reduction (D... more The last 60 years have witnessed advanced technological innovation for disaster risk reduction (DRR) with the invention of high-resolution satellite imagery, digital cartography and modern engineering building techniques to high-yielding agricultural production. However, none have been highly satisfying in lessening the impact of disasters. The significant factor for the limited success of modern scientific society is that it views the world from a temporal perspective where humans are believed to be an active agent in modifying every natural possibility into opportunity. The very composite environmental system is simplified whilst extracting resources, resulting in resource depletion and environmental degradation, consequently opening the door for disaster. Technocratic science must recognise the need for a relational or holistic approach rather than believing in reductionist approaches alone whilst dealing with natural calamities. In this context, the knowledge of traditional societies is important to fill up the existing gaps created by the modern society. Traditional knowledge has different sets of ingredients to foster the development of the relational or holistic approach as it involves, interacts and interconnects humans, non-humans (animals and plants) and nature together, setting a perfect balance for sustainable development and DRR. It has vast undocumented observational data of changing natural phenomena, and in today’s scenario of climate change and uncertainty, it can create a path for reliable adaptation measures from climate- induced disasters. Thus, a holistic approach is needed for comprehensive DRR measures where both scientific and traditional knowledge systems can work together. The main purpose of this article was to explore the effective ingredients of traditional knowledge in DRR and how this age-old wisdom can be offered a hand to its integration into and collaboration with scientific research and management for DRR. To fulfil the objectives, a theoretical desk study approach was followed by identifying relevant studies, highlighting traditional knowledge in DRR from empirical and grey literatures, archive materials, biblical stories and so on. This research highlights some of the good practices of traditional knowledge in DRR and the possible path of collaboration of two knowledge systems in DRR.
Keywords: traditional knowledge; indigenous knowledge; scientific knowledge; disaster risk management; disaster risk reduction.
BAPA-BEN, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2017
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is repository of diverse Himalayan ecosystems and well e... more Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is repository of diverse Himalayan ecosystems and well endowed with water resources. Formerly, politically isolated and sheltered -Sikkim's water resources are increasingly identified as the key to unleashing the economic potential of this now, fast developing state in India. In an era of an increasing liberalization agenda fuelled by a vigorously promoted economic development in India, the state of Sikkim, seduced by Central Government directives and growth narratives has been promoting the construction of Hydel projects across the two major rivers in the region, the Teesta and Rangeet. While similar projects in the rest of India are hugely critiqued, geo-politics and ethnic strife in the region disable a coherent activist-academic-community voice and interaction in the Eastern Himalayas. A political and social isolation from mainstream India results in a relative inattention from environmental advocacy actors and lobbyists across India. In such a setting, opposition from local civil society institutions have had little success in halting or even questioning the development agenda of the water-driven economic growth charter of the State. Consequently, the State has completed the construction of several dams and some thirty dams are currently in the process of being constructed.
The paper presents a general discussion on the various natural and human induced environmental in... more The paper presents a general discussion on the various natural and human induced environmental insecurities that often challenges human security in Nepal in general an Eastern Nepal in particular. Though small in size, Nepal is a country with geological, topographical and climate diversities that makes the country favourable to several natural challenges. These challenges range from earthquake to various type of geomorphic processes such as mass wasting and floods. The increase in population and the changes in its distribution also meant that the country is now faced with a new set of natural disaster risks. The UNDP lists earthquake, floods, flashfloods, landslides and drought as the major natural challenges for the country as a whole. While discussing these environmental challenges, a critical appreciation of the literature in the context of the region has been attempted and their present relevance also examined.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by members of the Human Development Resou... more The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by members of the Human Development Resource Centre (HDRC) team of K.Seeta Prabhu, Head, Kalyani Menon-Sen, then Gender Advisor, Alka Narang, National Programme Officer and Meenakshi Kathel, Research ...
Sikkim is primarily a rural and agricultural economy, where over 60 % of its population is direct... more Sikkim is primarily a rural and agricultural economy, where over 60 % of its population is directly engaged in agriculture. Principal food crops cultured in the region include maize, paddy, barley, millet, wheat, buck wheat, beans etc. Important cash crops are cardamom, ginger, potato, soybean, fruit crops and vegetables etc. Large cardamom is raised on commercial basis and is exported both within and outside the country. In fact, Sikkim has the largest area and the highest production of large cardamom in India. It is a foreign exchange earner crop of Sikkim. The state has limited industrial potential due to its geologic and geomorphic constraints. Large cardamom farming has been suffering from decline in production and gradual drying and subsequent death of the plant in the last 1–1.5 decades.
There has been a steady decline in the yield of large cardamom over the years. One of the important factors of declining yield is ascribed to old age of cardamom bushes. A section of the policy makers and farmers also believe that monoculture of cardamom plants in the same fields for generations, is perhaps, an added cause of declining productivity of the cardamom. However, a further more important and serious factor in this regard has been the destruction of cardamom orchards by viral diseases in recent years. There are increasing warnings from the scientists, policy makers and people on field that change in temperature and rainfall pattern in the region over last many years could be the potential factors of the disease spreading viruses and subsequent destruction and declining productivity of large cardamom plantations across Sikkim.
Urban and regional planning, school of planning, center for environmental planning and technology... more Urban and regional planning, school of planning, center for environmental planning and technology, Ahmedabad, India 2003 vimalkhawas@yahoo.co.uk
Urban Management in Darjeeling Himalaya
Some aspects of urban water management in Darjeeling, Himalaya
Understanding Urbanisation in Northeast India, 2020
APN Science Bulletin, 12(1), 2022
Every year, South Asian countries suffer from declining agricultural outputs due to climate extre... more Every year, South Asian countries suffer from declining agricultural outputs due to climate extremes such as floods and droughts. Recurrent droughts have depressed rural economies and enhanced widespread hunger and human migration to South Asian cities (Miyan, 2015). Due to climatic changes, the region is projected to experience rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events in the long term (Trenberth et al., 2014). Accurate
Journal of Indian Water Works Association, 2022
Water remains the most important input for agriculture to have a positive yield in the end. In In... more Water remains the most important input for agriculture to have a positive yield in the end. In India agriculture is solely dependent on the annual monsoon and the groundwater, crops are prepared and planted keeping in mind the arrival of the monsoon. At present India is home to 17 percent of the world's population but it has just 4 percent of the world's total freshwater. India's agriculture sector accounts for 18.1 percent of the total economy and it gives employment opportunities to 58 percent of the total employed workforce. Several studies have found depletion of water resources could reduce 20 percent of Indian agricultural produce by 2025, directly affecting the food security of India. Things are not much different in the hilly region of the country. In many hilly areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Almora etc. water for drinking and agricultural activities is collected mainly from shallow wells and springs. However, discharge from these sources has decreased dramatically over the years primarily due to erratic rainfall, climate change and several other allied issues. Against this backdrop, this paper tries to analyse the nexus between water resource depletion and food security. It further attempts to understand how agriculture in the region has been affected over the years under dwindling water resources in the hilly region of the country.
Rising Asia Journal, ISSN 2583-1038, 2023
This article argues for an urgent need for greater India-China cooperation through increased conn... more This article argues for an urgent need for greater India-China cooperation through increased connectivity to tap the trade potential of the strategic location of Nathu-La at the Indo-China border. It also advocates the resumption of border trade through the Jelep-La route, located sixty-five miles from Kalimpong in West Bengal. Border trade can act as a confidence-building measure, paving the way for conflict management through economic integration. Despite the low trade volume, border trade can bridge the differences between the two hostile neighbors, and improve their bilateral ties. The study describes the patterns of trade between India and China during the last two decades, with a focus on border trade through Nathu-La in Sikkim. It argues that such trade is essential for India and China, the fastest-growing economies with a combined 38 percent of global population, and home to the largest number of young people for whose future security and prosperity the two countries cannot afford to have border disputes.
Policy Paper, 2021
The primary aim of this paper is to understand the Sikkim Himalaya in the context of the changing... more The primary aim of this paper is to understand the Sikkim Himalaya in the context of the changing environment and socio-economic dynamics in recent times, focusing particularly on hydropower projects. The study is based largely on a review of available secondary literature on the relevant issues. However, it is also supplemented by primary data extracted from various offices of the Government of Sikkim, offices of the Government of India, civil society organizations, focus group discussions with the affected people, discussions with senior officials of the state and central governments and hydropower development projects. The paper is primarily informed by a human security framework.
The Deccan Geographer, 2018
Jàmbá - Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 2019
The last 60 years have witnessed advanced technological innovation for disaster risk reduction (D... more The last 60 years have witnessed advanced technological innovation for disaster risk reduction (DRR) with the invention of high-resolution satellite imagery, digital cartography and modern engineering building techniques to high-yielding agricultural production. However, none have been highly satisfying in lessening the impact of disasters. The significant factor for the limited success of modern scientific society is that it views the world from a temporal perspective where humans are believed to be an active agent in modifying every natural possibility into opportunity. The very composite environmental system is simplified whilst extracting resources, resulting in resource depletion and environmental degradation, consequently opening the door for disaster. Technocratic science must recognise the need for a relational or holistic approach rather than believing in reductionist approaches alone whilst dealing with natural calamities. In this context, the knowledge of traditional societies is important to fill up the existing gaps created by the modern society. Traditional knowledge has different sets of ingredients to foster the development of the relational or holistic approach as it involves, interacts and interconnects humans, non-humans (animals and plants) and nature together, setting a perfect balance for sustainable development and DRR. It has vast undocumented observational data of changing natural phenomena, and in today’s scenario of climate change and uncertainty, it can create a path for reliable adaptation measures from climate- induced disasters. Thus, a holistic approach is needed for comprehensive DRR measures where both scientific and traditional knowledge systems can work together. The main purpose of this article was to explore the effective ingredients of traditional knowledge in DRR and how this age-old wisdom can be offered a hand to its integration into and collaboration with scientific research and management for DRR. To fulfil the objectives, a theoretical desk study approach was followed by identifying relevant studies, highlighting traditional knowledge in DRR from empirical and grey literatures, archive materials, biblical stories and so on. This research highlights some of the good practices of traditional knowledge in DRR and the possible path of collaboration of two knowledge systems in DRR.
Keywords: traditional knowledge; indigenous knowledge; scientific knowledge; disaster risk management; disaster risk reduction.
BAPA-BEN, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2017
Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is repository of diverse Himalayan ecosystems and well e... more Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is repository of diverse Himalayan ecosystems and well endowed with water resources. Formerly, politically isolated and sheltered -Sikkim's water resources are increasingly identified as the key to unleashing the economic potential of this now, fast developing state in India. In an era of an increasing liberalization agenda fuelled by a vigorously promoted economic development in India, the state of Sikkim, seduced by Central Government directives and growth narratives has been promoting the construction of Hydel projects across the two major rivers in the region, the Teesta and Rangeet. While similar projects in the rest of India are hugely critiqued, geo-politics and ethnic strife in the region disable a coherent activist-academic-community voice and interaction in the Eastern Himalayas. A political and social isolation from mainstream India results in a relative inattention from environmental advocacy actors and lobbyists across India. In such a setting, opposition from local civil society institutions have had little success in halting or even questioning the development agenda of the water-driven economic growth charter of the State. Consequently, the State has completed the construction of several dams and some thirty dams are currently in the process of being constructed.
The paper presents a general discussion on the various natural and human induced environmental in... more The paper presents a general discussion on the various natural and human induced environmental insecurities that often challenges human security in Nepal in general an Eastern Nepal in particular. Though small in size, Nepal is a country with geological, topographical and climate diversities that makes the country favourable to several natural challenges. These challenges range from earthquake to various type of geomorphic processes such as mass wasting and floods. The increase in population and the changes in its distribution also meant that the country is now faced with a new set of natural disaster risks. The UNDP lists earthquake, floods, flashfloods, landslides and drought as the major natural challenges for the country as a whole. While discussing these environmental challenges, a critical appreciation of the literature in the context of the region has been attempted and their present relevance also examined.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by members of the Human Development Resou... more The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by members of the Human Development Resource Centre (HDRC) team of K.Seeta Prabhu, Head, Kalyani Menon-Sen, then Gender Advisor, Alka Narang, National Programme Officer and Meenakshi Kathel, Research ...
Sikkim is primarily a rural and agricultural economy, where over 60 % of its population is direct... more Sikkim is primarily a rural and agricultural economy, where over 60 % of its population is directly engaged in agriculture. Principal food crops cultured in the region include maize, paddy, barley, millet, wheat, buck wheat, beans etc. Important cash crops are cardamom, ginger, potato, soybean, fruit crops and vegetables etc. Large cardamom is raised on commercial basis and is exported both within and outside the country. In fact, Sikkim has the largest area and the highest production of large cardamom in India. It is a foreign exchange earner crop of Sikkim. The state has limited industrial potential due to its geologic and geomorphic constraints. Large cardamom farming has been suffering from decline in production and gradual drying and subsequent death of the plant in the last 1–1.5 decades.
There has been a steady decline in the yield of large cardamom over the years. One of the important factors of declining yield is ascribed to old age of cardamom bushes. A section of the policy makers and farmers also believe that monoculture of cardamom plants in the same fields for generations, is perhaps, an added cause of declining productivity of the cardamom. However, a further more important and serious factor in this regard has been the destruction of cardamom orchards by viral diseases in recent years. There are increasing warnings from the scientists, policy makers and people on field that change in temperature and rainfall pattern in the region over last many years could be the potential factors of the disease spreading viruses and subsequent destruction and declining productivity of large cardamom plantations across Sikkim.
Urban and regional planning, school of planning, center for environmental planning and technology... more Urban and regional planning, school of planning, center for environmental planning and technology, Ahmedabad, India 2003 vimalkhawas@yahoo.co.uk
Urban Management in Darjeeling Himalaya
Gender Issues in Development: Concerns for the 21st Century
Environment Development and Social Change in Himalayan Region
Rising Asia, 2024
Sikkim should now concentrate on the efficient handling of the already constructed and commission... more Sikkim should now concentrate on the efficient handling of the already constructed and commissioned hydropower projects instead of venturing into new ones. There should be proper human coordination and Early Warning System in place to manage the functional dams. The inefficiency and lack of human coordination to handle current flash floods in the upper Teesta catchment has badly exposed Sikkim. A small mistake upstream will have a tremendous human and environmental impact downstream. Sikkim needs to evolve comprehensive regional hydropower policy in view of its unique regional environment, ecological setup, and geography. he Upper Teesta catchment areas of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya were ravaged by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) on the night of October 3 and 4, 2023 (reportedly between 10:30 p.m. and
Not brewing right
Down to Earth, 2015
Tea in the Darjeeling hills is losing its flavour. TEA from the Darjeeling hills are among the mo... more Tea in the Darjeeling hills is losing its flavour. TEA from the Darjeeling hills are among the most celebrated varieties in the country.
Gujarat Human Development Report
Benefit sharing: an action of giving back a portion of profit derived from the resources that the... more Benefit sharing: an action of giving back a portion of profit derived from the resources that the project has utilized.