Globalization and Marginalization in Mountain Regions: Assets and Challenges in Marginal Regions

Raghubir Chand · Walter Leimgruber

jun 2016 · Perspectives on Geographical Marginality Libro 1 · Springer

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This book looks at the global importance of mountain systems, emphasizing their ecological and socio-economic role in light of climate change and globalization. With a special focus on the Himalayas, it also examines the Czech–German–Austrian mountain borderland, the Alps, the Andes, the highland regions of Malaysia, and the Arctic. The contributors, specialists in their fields, all use an integrative approach that develops and argues the concept of mountain regions as a global common good. Readers also discover that mountain systems and mountain communities are often marginalized and left behind by the process of globalization. Case studies throughout detail the effects of climate change and global warming on both nature and local/regional societies, such as declining water supplies, a shifting vegetation line, and other important issues facing not only mountains but also the vast regions depending on them. In addition, the comprehensive coverage offers authenticated viewpoints from some of the most eminent explorers of Tibet in the nineteenth century. More than 50 percent of the global human population draws benefits directly or indirectly from mountain resources and services. This book provides practitioners, researchers, students, and other interested readers with a compelling look at the global importance of this imposing, yet sensitive ecosystem.

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Walter Leimgruber: His research interest includes boundaries and transborder relations, regional development and inequality issues. He obtained his PhD and university aggregation in the University of Basle (Switzerland) and taught at the University of Fribourg/CH from 1982 till his retirement in 2009. He has authored and edited/co-edited 7 books.

Raghubir Chand: His research interest is the mountain geography in the fields of Himalayan environment and land use planning, socio-economic and demographic transformation of Himalayan societies besides his involvement in migration studies, agricultural productivity, cultural geography, environmental and livelihood support systems of tribal communities of Bhutan and other parts of western Himalaya. He has published two books including Brokpas: The Hidden Highlanders of Bhutan (2004). He has published 70 papers in various national and international journals. He is in the editorial board and one of the founder members of PAHAR - a research journal of people’s Association for Himalayan Area Research based at Nainital.