Question

According to Guthman, what was Piers Blaikie's relationship to the theory?

a) Blaikie opposed the Theory of Himalayan Degradation
b) Blaikie developed the theory
c) Blaikie critiqued the theory
d) No relationship between Blaikie and the theory

Answer 1

Piers Blaikie critiqued the Theory of Himalayan Degradation, suggesting that it overlooked important social and economic factors contributing to environmental change(option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Julie Guthman, Piers Blaikie's relationship to the Theory of Himalayan Degradation was that of a critic(option a).

Blaikie critiqued the theory, which claimed that environmental degradation in the Himalayas was primarily due to the traditional agricultural practices of local populations, suggesting that this led to deforestation and subsequent problems like soil erosion and decreased agricultural productivity. Piers Blaikie, alongside many other scholars, questioned the empirical evidence supporting the theory and argued that it oversimplified complex social and ecological relationships, overlooking the roles of colonial history, political economy, and policy in contributing to environmental change.