Uttam Lal

Uttam Lal

Non-Resident Fellow


Contact Information

Himalayan Ecology, Highland society, Borderland study, Rangeland dynamics.

  • PhD, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi: 2009. Thesis: Environmental Constraints and Development Processes in a Mountain Ecosystem of Western Himalaya: A Case Study of Kinnaur
  • Master of Philosophy, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi: 2004. Dissertation: Environment and Socio-economic Transformation of Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Master of Arts (Geography), Centre for the Study of Regional Development, JNU, New Delhi: 2002
  • Bachelor of Science (Zoology), Hindu College, Delhi University, Delhi 1999

Faculty at the Department of Geography, School of Human Sciences, Sikkim University Gangtok, since 2010

  • Junior Research Fellow of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. New Delhi
  • Senior Research Fellow of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi
  • ‘Geography Teacher Award-2016’ conferred by the Deccan Geographical Society of India, at XIth DGSI International Conference on 27th September 2016 at Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
  • Assóciate, UGC Inter-University Centre (2019-2022), Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla

  • Emerging Scholar 2014 at the India-China Institute, The New School, NewYork, USA
  • China-India Cultural Exchange Programme of Scholars Programme 2014
  • Guest Fellow- Erasmus+ Mobility programme, Aarhus University, Denmark. 2018
  • La Trobe Asia, Visiting Fellow,2024, La Trobe University, Australia

  • Deccan Geographical Society, India (DGSI),
  • National Association of Geographers, India (NAGI),
  • Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. (INTACH),
  • Association of Borderland Studies (ABS),
  • Native American & Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
  • South Asia Bioregional Working Group.

  • Deka, J.R., Lal, U, Sarma, P.K. (2025). Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) facing space struggles in a Metropolitan district of Northeast India. Environmental Monitoring Assessment.  197:880 Springer
  • Lal, U., & Rahman, M. Z. (2025). Chhurpi Connectivity: Himalayan Cheese as Bioregional Frame. Roadsides 14: 42-49. ISSN 2624-9081 • DOI 10.26034/roadsides-202501406
  • Rai, N., Lal, U. (2025). Yak Pastoralism in Transition: Changes and Challenges in Yak-Rearing Practices in Lhonak Valley, Sikkim.Nomadic Peoples 29: pp.35–57.  doi:10.3828/whpnp.63837646691064
  • Sherpa, P., Lal, U., Kumar, R. ( 2024). Landslide Susceptibility Mapping In Darjeeling Hills. Disaster & Development. 13, Issue 02, July to Dec.NIDM. ISSN- 0973-6700
  • Sharma, Mohan, Lal, U., (2024) “Understanding multiple meanings of hunting in the Idu‑Mishmi landscape of Northeast India.” Geojournal, 89:80. Springer. ISSN-15729893, 03432521
  • Rai, N., Lal, U (2024). Trajectory of Yak Herding in the West Sikkim Highlands. The Deccan Geographer, Vol. 62, No 8, Dec, pp 1-16. ISSN- 0011-7269
  • Lal, U. (2022). “Cross Border Interactions to Trapped Identity of Yak-Herders in Sikkim Himalaya.”’ The Deccan Geographer, Vol. 60, No 3, December, pp 148-160. ISSN- 0011-7269
  • Rai, N., Lal, U (2022). A Study of Yak Rearing in Sikkim Himalaya. The Deccan Geographer, Vol. 60, No 4, Dec, pp 164-177. ISSN- 0011-7269
  • Singh, A., Ranjan, Rakesh. K,  Lal, U.(2021). ‘Snow Cover Area Changes in the Changme Khangpu Basin during 2002-2019, North Sikkim Himalaya, India’.  Journal of Climate Change, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 27-34.ISSN- 2395-7611. DOI 10.3233/JCC210009
  • Singh, Amrita, Ranjan, R.K., Tiwari, V.C., Lal, U., Badekar, A.G (2021). ”Glacial deposits from Changme Khangpu glacier in Sikkim Himalaya, India and their mineralogical characterisation.” Himalayan Geology, Vol. 42 (2), pp. 312-320. ISSN- 9718966
  • Singh, Amrita, Rani, Anjali, Ranjan, R.K, Lal, U. (2021). Mineralogical Variation of Channel Sediments and Glacio-Fluvial Activities from Changme Basin to Sevoke along Teetsa River in Sikkim Himalaya.The Deccan Geographer, Vol. 59, No 1 & 2, Jan-Dec, pp 68-80
  • Lal, U & Lepcha, C.K (2019). Ruins of Living and Dead in the Himalayan Borderlands in Reading Space, Society and History in Asia through its Ruins. The Newsletter No. 82 Spring, 2019. International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden. The Netherlands.
  • Debnatha, H. J. Syiemlieha, M. C. Sharma, R. Kumar, A Chowdhurya, Lal, U (2018). Glacial lake dynamics and lake surface temperature assessment along the Kangchengayo-Pauhunri Massif, Sikkim Himalaya, 1988–2014. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment. Volume 9, January, Pages 26-41. Elsevier.
  • Chhetry, B., Lal, U. (2017). Impact of Tourism on Traditional Livelihood in Lachung Valley of Sikkim Himalaya. The Deccan Geographer, Vol. 55, No 1 & 2, June-Dec, pp 66-75
  • Thapa, M, Lal, U. Environmental Dynamics and Its Impacts upon the Productivity of Tea in Puttabong (Tukvar) Tea Garden of Darjeeling Himalaya, India. Journal of Tea Science Research 2016, Vol. 6, No.9, pp.1-4.    doi: 10.5376/jtsr.2016.06.0009 
  • Lal, U. (2021). Herders of the Fragile Borderscape: Issues from Sikkim and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. IRGS Policy Paper Series. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung India and Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University. 2021. https://irgs.snu.edu.in/sites/default/files/HimalayanStudies-Uttam.pdf
  • Chhetri, B. & Lal, U (2017) ‘Livelihood Dynamics in a mountain ecosystem: A case of Lachung Valley, Sikkim Himalaya’. Indian Journal of Regional Science XLIX NO. 2 (Dec): (36-41), ISSN: 0046-9017.
  • Chhetri, B. & Lal, U (2017). Tourism and its influences on traditional livelihood in Lachung Valley, Sikkim Himalaya.’ The Deccan Geographers.Vol. 55 No.2, Dec. ISSN-0011-726

Book:

  • Lepcha, C.K & Lal, U (2021). (Ed.) ‘Communities, Institutions and Histories of India’s Northeast’. Routledge, New Delhi. ISBN: 978-1-032-15838-9
  • Lama, M. P., Lal, U. et al. (2012) (Co-edited) Globalisation and Cultural Practices in Mountain Areas, Dynamics, Dimensions and Implications. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi. ISBN:978-81-7387-230-3

Book Chapters:

  • Lal, U & Lepcha, C.K (2024). Gastronomic Terrain of the Sikkim Himalaya. In Food Cultures of India (ed.), Chaudhuri, S.K., Nath, D.P., Sarma, D. Manohar Publisher.Delhi. Pp 129-144. ISBN- ‎ 9360808555
  • Lal, U (2022). Reimagining Himalayan Borderland: A Case Study of Himachal Sector. In Boundaries and Borderlands: A Century after the 1914 Simla Convention. (ed.) Acharya, Alka. Routledge, London. ISBN: 9781032181981
  • Lal, U (2015). ‘Reviving Old Routes: Sino-Indian Border Trade via Himachal Pradesh’. In India, China and Sub-regional Connectivities in South Asia (ed.) Chandran, S & B. Singh, Sage Publication, New Delhi. ISBN:978-93-515-0327-9 (HB). Pp.71-90
  • Lal, U (2012). ‘Sustainability and Environmental Constraints in the Western Himalaya: A case study of Kinnaur’. In Climate Change and Sustainability in Mountain Areas: Scope and Challenges for regional Cooperation and Integration (ed.) Lama et. al. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi. ISBN:978-81-7387-231-0
  • Rai, B., Tambe, S., Sinha, U. K., Lal, U, Manger, A.(2016). Understanding the Physical Dimensions of Natural Springs in Drought-Prone Areas of the Sikkim Himalayas. In Socio-Ecological and Adaptation Challenges to Climate Change Mitigation (ed.Slariya, M), Creat Space Amazon Publication, pp.1-18.

  • 2nd Ecologies of Care workshop at Kathmandu University, Nepal in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, Canada, June 5th -7th, 2025
  • Presented work on ‘Re-bordering in the frozen borderland of the Sikkim Himalaya’ at Bridging the Regions and Disciplines in Border Studies, January 18-20, 2024, at TallinnUniversity, Estonia.
  • Deliberated on ‘signature of fading memories into Living and Dead of the Sikkim Himalaya at the International Seminar, Department of History, SU, Gangtok, 14th -15th 2024 March
  • -the other Hydro-tales from the Himalayan borderland at the SPARC Partners’ Meet Seminar-Evolving A Himalayan
  • Keynote speaker in the National Workshop on ‘Application of geospatial Tools & Techniques’ at Sikkim Alpine University, 10th June 2024
  • Delivered a lecture on ‘Geopolitics and the Himalaya’ as well as a Valedictory Note as a resource person at the National Seminar on ‘An outline of Tibetan Literary Sources' at the University of Hyderabad. 24th & 25th August 2023.
  • Presented work on ‘Beasts of Ruptured Geographies: Yak herding in the Sikkim Himalaya ' at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. 22nd October 2021, during

Research Project/Supervision

Number

Brief Detail (Title and supporting Institution)

Projects

 

3

1.      The Himalayan Cryosphere: Science & Society. DST, New Delhi

2.      Enumeration and Evaluation of the Economic impact of female labour in the hills (Sikkim & Darjeeling Himalaya). Niti Aayog-UGC, New Delhi

3.      Evolving A Himalayan Policy for India: Infrastructure, States, Communities, and Ecologies in the Eastern Himalayas (alongwith IIT, Chennai, La Trobe University, Australia & the University of Western Australia). Completion date December 2024. (SPARC Project)

4.      Multi-Hazard Mapping of the Teesta River Basin (Consultant); South Asia Bioregionalism Working Group. Kalpavrikhs.

 

Ph.D. Guidance

4

1.      Amrita Singh-14/Ph.D/GOG/05/12.10.2015: Assessment of Glacial Mass Balance and Black Carbon of Changme Khangpu Glacier in Sikkim Himalaya. (Awarded)

2.      Bipul Chhetry:13/PD/GOG/01:20/10/2014 Livelihood Adaptability and Its Sustainability in the Mountain Ecosystem: Lachung Valley, Sikkim Himalaya (Awarded):

3.      Pribat Rai-14/Ph.D/GOG/01. 22.05.2015: Traditional Knowledge Systems and Methods of Disaster Risk Reduction among the Communities in Sikkim Himalaya (Awarded)

4.      Nirjala Rai-16/Ph.D/GOG/02/31.10.2016:Yak Habitat and Mountain Pastoralism in Sikkim Himalaya. (Awarded 2022)

5.      Dixchen Golay-Reg. No. 21/Ph.D./GOG/01 ): Tea Economy and Livelihoods: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Darjeeling Tea: (2026 Submitted

6.      Mohan Shrama 20/Ph.D/GOG/03/23.07.2022; Cultural Milieu and Resources: A case study of Mishmi Takins in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh: (ongoing)

7.      Sankar Oraon 23/Ph.D/GOG/02.24.06.2024 Assessment and Determinants of Nutritional Levels among Under-five children in Selected Tea Gardens of North Bengal: (ongoing)

8.      The Effects of Paternal Out Migration on the Behaviour Pattern of the Adolescents in Cooch Behar District, West Bengal: Biswajit Mondal 22/Ph.D/GOG/02. 25.07.2023 (ongoing)

 

M.Phil. Guidance

7

1.      Environmental Implications of Natural Springs in Duga, East Sikkim: Basanti Rai (Awarded), Sikkim University. 2015

2.      Agriculture in Trans-Himalayan Sikkim in Thangu and adjoining areas: Issues and challenges: Chador Lachungpa. 2017 

3.      Dynamics of India-Bangladesh Trans-Border Mobility: A Case Study of Dhupguri Block, West Bengal: Tushar Sarkar. 2018

4.      Changing Pattern of Spatio-Social Interrelationship of Hunting Community in Upper Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh: Mohan Sharma (Awarded), Sikkim University.2020

5.      Sherpa Folk Music in the Sikkim Himalaya: A geographical Perspective: Zigmee Topzer Sherpa (Awarded) Sikkim University.2021

6.      Socio-Economic Transformation of the Dokpa Community in Lachung Valley, Sikkim: Nirjala Rai (Awarded) Sikkim University.2011

7.      Impact of Environmental Changes on Productivity of Tea in Puttabong (Tukvur) Tea Garden, Darjeeling: Manorama Thapa (Awarded), Sikkim University.2016

 

Reading Material prepared:

  • Lal, U (2023). Unit1, Unit,8 Block3: Macro Regions of India 1, Unit-14 Block 5: Selected Microregions of India 1 , , School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi. (two Units for Bachelor’s)
  • Lal, U (2023). Unit1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit-4, & Unit-5 : BGGET-141, GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA, Vol.-I, Block 1, Physical Setting, School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi. (5 Units for Master's)
  • Lal, U The Himalayas: Socio biological aspects - environmental case studies. Module i.d 34, Paper:11, Ecological Anthropology: Cultural and Biological Dimensions, epathshala./ pdf

Springer, Routledge