Biodiversity Conservation in the Western Himalaya. Western Himalayan Ecoregional Strategy and Action Plan. 2011. col. photogr. XV, 157 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.

While this book focuses on rich biodiversity of Indian WesternHimalayan region, it looks at it from a lens of culture, livelihoodsand people. It acknowledges that people cannot be seen as the problembut must be part of the solution. The book not only stresses on diversity. But on harder to measure and quantify values such asecosystem services. Putting tangible numbers to these and focussing on the services this region provides is key to conservation. Not only are the Western Himalaya the cradle of many of the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, but the water, silt and nutrients brought down fromthe mountains is critical to sustaining the high productivity of theIndo-Gangetic plains. A considerable part of this book is focussed onissues and problems that threaten the forests and biota of this diverse landscape. This book is based on the strategy and action plandocument for the Western Himalayan Ecoregion.