Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) include
landscapes of aesthetic beauty combining agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, and
valuable cultural heritage, identified, and preserved by the UN FAO since 2005.
Known as the saffron bowl of Kashmir, Pampore is renowned for its
high-quality saffron. It faces challenges such as water scarcity and market volatility.
Unique to India, this system involves rice cultivation below sea level,
utilizing polders and dewatering. It’s vital for its endemic biodiversity and faces threats from
pollution.
Linked to indigenous communities, this system conserves high
biodiversity, including 2,500 plant species. It’s under threat from deforestation and mining
activities.
Practiced in Meghalaya, this system includes shifting cultivation, home
gardens, and agroforestry. It sustains the local Khasi community and preserves diverse plant
species.
Located in Arunachal Pradesh, it integrates wet rice cultivation with
fish farming. It’s a sustainable model that supports local biodiversity and cultural
practices.