Thomas Chandy
Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science
The University of Melbourne
Email: t.chandy@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 0415 036 956
Degree
PhD
Thesis title
Study of impact of climate change and socio-cultural changes resulting from developmental processes on forest use and conservation in Sikkim
Supervisors
Professor Rod Keenan
Dr John Petheram
Dr Peter Shepherd
Project outline
Aims:
The study aims to identify the impacts of climate change and developmental projects on the socio-cultural characteristics of rural communities and how these have changed the dependence of communities on forest resources in this region and how they might further change in the future.
The major objectives of the study are as follows:
- To establish the effects of per capita income changes of a rural community on its socio-cultural character and how these impact on forest use and conservation; and determine whether the present course of economic development of the State makes for sustainable forest conservation or not.
- To assess the current and potential future impacts of climate change on forest resources and the socio-economic status of communities in Sikkim.
- To establish the relationship between capital investment in an area and the consequent change from forest based vocation to non-forest based vocation of the community.
- To determine appropriate responses in policy and management practices in line with the changing dependence of the community on the forests.
Link to Postgraduate index page