Paper short abstract:

The paper will focus on the role of ecology in shaping the economy in their natural resource management

Paper long abstract:

The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) (which includes Kangchenjunga National Park in Sikkim), has an area of 1,784 km2, plus an additional area of 825.92 km2 in the buffer zone. The Reserve is representative of the Eastern Himalayan region containing unique habitats and ecosystems, dense forests, a rich array of flora and fauna, and high mountain ranges including the massive Khangchendzonga (or Kangchenjunga), the third highest peak in the world. KBR is situated in the North Sikkim District in the Indian state of Sikkim. It has an elevation of 1,829 metres (6,001 ft) to over 8,550 metres (28,050 ft) and has an area of 849.50 km2 (327.99 sq mi). It is one of the few high altitude National parks of India.

The Sherpa is distributed in Northern and Eastern Sikkim and its distribution is well spread upto Darjeeling district of West Bengal which comes under the transitional zone of KBR. The Sherpa, a Scheduled Tribe of West Bengal. In the past they migrated to India from Sikkim.

In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the role of ecology in shaping the economy of the inhabitants of the region and in developing their own system of natural resources management. This natural resources management have helped them to survive in the harsh ecological condition.