An integrated approach to climate change adaptation

During recent decades, people in Chitwan have experienced hotter summers, while winters are shortening. Ninety eight percent of all villagers recognise changes in the climate, while 95 percent mention drought and erratic rainfall patterns as the main indicators of this change. Villagers have witnessed an increasing number of floods. Although many see human activities as reasons behind this (such as deforestation, or the cultivation of marginal lands due to an increasing population), villagers feel that the erratic rainfall patterns are equally responsible. The destruction of land by floods and landslides, and subsequent declining land productivity, compels people to occupy forest areas, cultivate steeper land and look for alternative means of living.

Our analysis suggested that poor people are more vulnerable, as they rely heavily on the ecosystem and on its natural resources. They also lack assets and access to resources, and institutional support is weak. Vulnerability is determined by the area’s topography and geology (as factors which, for example, contribute to landslides), as well as by the socio-economic activities taking place. Deforestation, shifting cultivation, over-grazing or other practices weaken the ecosystem, making it even more vulnerable.