Forests meet 40% of the energy needs of India and about 30% of fodder needs of the cattle population. Agriculture along with animal husbandry is the principal occupation and source of livelihood for over 70% of the population of Western Himalaya. Like with other high-altitude communities, animal husbandry is practised by the locals. Collection of fodder is the first step that turns the wheel of agricultural economy in states across the Indian Himalayan region. (Correspondence)

Poor access to appropriate technologies due to difficult topographies and tough mountain conditions is one of the major causes of poverty, drudgery and natural resources degradation not only in the Indian Central Himalaya, but also in other parts of the Hindu-Kush Himalaya. Of late, deve-

The small farmers of Central Himalayan region are achieving high level of diversification through rotation of pure crops in space and time, and through mixed cropping systems. The system with a potential to feed the hill population and conserve natural resources, requires serious attention from the policy makers, to survive.

The most outstanding feature of the River Ganga is that it offers uncommon environmental diversity, impressive scenery, and an outstanding adventurous and wilderness experience. All these attributes contribute towards wild land-based recreation. The objective of this article is to assess the environmental and socio-cultural impacts of camping and white-water rafting on this river. This article has largely relied on primary survey and secondary data collected from different government departments.