Ladakh

Preferred research areas for the dissertation include but are not limited to:

• Participatory mapping of community-conserved areas and sacred valleys in Ladakh. 
• Transitions in pastoralism especially with respect to the use of natural resources, politics and gender dynamics. 
• Mapping and documentation of biocultural knowledge and practices. 
• Human-wildlife interactions.  
• Pedagogic research for courses on pastoralism – both at school and university level. 
• Tribal autonomy and local governance systems in Ladakh.  
• Tourism in Ladakh.
• Environmental change and its impacts
• Environmental pollution

Khangchendzonga Landscape – Sikkim & Hills of North Bengal

• Biodiversity in Changing Landscapes. 
• Assessment of Ecosystem Services Provided by Remnant Forest Patches.  
• Dimensions of Human-Wildlife Interaction. 
• Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Use of Bioresources.
• Assessing the impact of Climate Change on Himalayan Biodiversity and Ecosystem.
• Evaluating the Economic Impacts of Land Use Changes and Biodiversity Loss in the Khangchendzonga Landscape.
• One Health Perspective: Interlinkages of Environment and Zoonotic Diseases

Arunachal Pradesh

• Effectiveness / evaluation of Conservation regimes
• Quantifying biodiversity and bioresources in Eastern Himalayan ecosystems
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cultural systems of local communities linked to forest and wildlife
• Policy review around CCAs & OECMs

Eligibility

• Pursuing Masters in any discipline but should have completed three semesters (course work)
• Students should be studying in universities in the Indian Himalayan  Region (IHR)
• Preference will be given to students from IHR.
• Students who have started their research in second and third semesters can also apply.

We value diversity, gender equity and the representation of minority communities; women and persons from under-recognised and underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Selected students will receive a stipend of USD 900 each (approximately INR 75,000)