The volume delves into the biophysical, biological, hydrological, meteorological and socio-economic aspects relating to the Western Himalayan region of India. Stressing on the need to strengthen institutional and research capacities that are critical to delivering meaningful and sustainable impacts in return for the investments made, experts discuss social and landscape characteristics of the region, its land use and land cover patterns and its water resources. They examine biodiversity and resource base and livelihood scenario linking the aspects to climate change. They analyse the manner in which climate change has brought in alternations in the agricultural scenario—loss of agricultural diversity, extensive use of synthetic fertilisers and changes in cropping patterns, for instance. A focus is on the biodiversity in the region: its vegetation characteristics, floral diversity and threatened species.