Abstract
From the various figures it is apparent that there exists a lot of water potential in the Garhwal Himalaya, for which some appropriate eco-based technologies (ebt) are required to be developed for their sustainable use. This is required to improve the socio-economic status of the people, who are in general dependent either upon agriculture or jobs. As a matter of fact industrialization of these hilly tracts excepting those based on agro and tourism, may not be economically viable due to their rigorous nature. The natural calamities like floods, which occurred in Tehri and earthquakes tremors in Uttarkashi and Chamoli could be well mitigated and managed to lesser degree of losses by proper management of their watersheds. Although directly these are not employed but it is very important to consider the watershed management programme in relation to forest vegetation and other land use practices in general and especially to agro-based societies of Himalayan tracts in particular because of the very fact that the forest vegetation plays an important role directly and indirectly in the watershed development.
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