Morphological and Functional Change of Rural Settlements in the High Himalayan Region: A Case Study of Arakot, Uttarkashi

Abstract

In the past few years, many settlements in the high Himalayan region have witnessed morphological and functional change. These changes or transformations are a manifestation of livelihood diversification in these areas. The emerging (new) opportunities in remote rural areas have brought changes in the socioeconomic conditions of the people living therein. The new developments were accompanied by a functional change of isolated mountain settlements. As a result, these settlements have got transformed into multifunctional areas. All these changes are reflected in the spatial variations and accompanied changes in settlement characteristics. The aim of this research is to identify the functional changes in remote mountain villages. The study area for this research is an isolated mountain valley in the high Himalayan region. It is a remote area of Uttarkashi, India. This area is regarded as a marginal region. The marginality of the area is the product of spatial isolation and remoteness. However, some of the settlements of this region have witnessed profound changes in the recent past. Different signs of change in settlement characteristics (morphological and functional change) have been observed in these mountain villages. There have been changes in the nature of agriculture in some of these settlements. These changes have been accompanied by a change in land use and the morphological elements of the villages. Changes in social infrastructure and standards of living are also important signs of change. This research presents a study of changes in settlement characteristics (morphological and functional change) in one of the villages of this remote mountainous area. It can be interpreted as an illustration of the development of multifunctional rural settlements in a marginal area. There is a need to capture the current processes of transformation. It may offer an essential clue for rural revitalization in the high mountain areas.