Sustainability of land use in north‐east India: Issues involving economics, the environment and biodiversity

Reports on a mission to north‐east India undertaken in September 1996 with a view to developing a joint research programme on sustainability of land use in that area. Describes the mission, the travel involved and the nature of the agreement which was reached with members of the North‐East Hill University, Mizoram Campus and with participants of Arunachal University. Identifies priority areas for future research as sustainable agriculture and use of forestry resources with the mission focus of attention being on Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. States that the majority of the population in north‐eastern Indian states consists of tribal people, many of whom still engage in shifting agriculture and are still very dependent on forest resources for their livelihood. Explains that, owing to rising populations and the desire for higher incomes, traditional practices in agriculture and forest use in this part of India are no longer sustainable, noting that the incomes of local people and their way of life are therefore threatened and there is urgent need for research to find new alternatives.