Critical Analysis of Challenges of Darjeeling Himalaya: Water, Natural Resources, Hazards, and the Implications of Climate Change

The environment of which land is a vital component, acts as a highly sensitive system to provide the means of sustainability to all forms of life. Darjeeling Himalaya has been bestowed with some of the outstanding natural features, however presently this beautiful hill station faced severe problem from various natural hazard, climate change and other regional specific problem. Keeping this point in mind the present study was conducted from 2008 to 2012 at Regional Research Station (Hill Zone) under the aegis of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalay, Kalimpong, with a view to find out the impact of various natural resources on Darjeeling himalaya ecosystem. Landslide was a major problem, which can be caused due to deforestation, illegal mining, unplanned transportation and big dam construction. Hilly communities at villages or village cluster with sometimes scattered settlement in Darjeeling Himalayas have made their land into terraced fields, which generally prevents sliding of mud. On the other hand construction of irrigation system and avoidance of slope area for any developmental activity have considerably reduced the occurrence of landslides. Step cultivation is the right choice for mountain production system that could reduce scope for natural hazard. The major source of water supply in agricultural sector is springs or small rivulets locally known as Jhoras with only limited discharge available during post monsoon period. Availability of water resource in the form lakes, rivers and streams, and natural springs is one such example in this respect. Sustainable utilization of this natural endowment becomes critical in this part of Himalayan. Loss of biodiversity is another problem which can be very much influenced by climate shifting patterns.