Jenni K. Alex and Arunkumar T.A.
Abstract
One of the worldâs biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Western Ghats offer a special and challenging task at the nexus of livelihood and conservation. This study examines the difficult balancing act of meeting the socioeconomic requirements of the communities living in the environmentally rich Western Ghats while also protecting the regionâs ecological integrity. The study examines the consequences for sustainable development, biodiversity conservation and the welfare of local communities while illustrating the competing demands of livelihood and conservation.