The complexity of societies in Asia and the problems of natural resource management are considerable. Notions of gender, class, caste, ethnicity, and age are integral to understanding the social relations and decision-making processes concerning access to and management of natural resources. Understanding of social differences and social inequality are key to answer such questions as who participates in development (research) interventions and policies.
This article looks at case studies in south Asia: Nepal, Mongolia, India, China and Viet Nam.