Lele, SharadchandraBellamy, Rufus2009-06-292009-06-292008http://hdl.handle.net/10625/38979This policy brief is based on SANDEE working paper no. 36-08, "Economic impacts of changes in hydrological services from forest ecosystems : findings from a low rainfall location in the Western Ghats of India"The study underlines the complex relationship between habitat conservation and agriculture, and highlights the need for environmental policy that takes into account social and economic impacts of decisions. The research examined water availability and its affect on crop choice and productivity, which in turn affects the economic welfare of local people. The study site areas of natural forests have been transformed into monoculture tree plantations, grasslands, and coffee, tea and rubber plantations. For a certain type of irrigation system, an increase in forest cover can reduce the amount of water available for agriculture.4 p. : ill.application/pdfenFORESTSLAND USE CHANGEAGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITYPLANTATIONSIRRIGATION SYSTEMSINDIALIVELIHOODSCONSERVATIONRURAL ECONOMYFORESTRYHYDROLOGYSOUTH ASIAPolicy Brief