Publication Information

Title: 

Local people’s perception on Climate Change, its impact and adaptation practices in Himalaya to Terai regions of Nepal

Authors: 

Krishna R. Tiwari
Keshab D. Awasthi
Mohan K. Balla
Bishal K. Sitaula

Source: 

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

The study showed that average temperature has increased from 0.6 to 0.98oC over the last 30 years and precipitation is characterized by large inter-annual variability with substantial decrease in amount over the last five years. The annual temperature increasing trend followed 0.055>0.0455>0.035>0.02oC yr-1 from Middle Mountain, Siwlik, Himalayan and Terai regions respectively. More than 80 percent HHs responded that they have perceived increased temperature and expressed low amount snowfall in High mountain and rainfall in Mid mountain and Terai region over the last five years. Low amount of snow fall in the Himalayan region affected to the Nomad groups due low grass available to feed their livestock. Furthermore, local collector reported that there was lower availability of the medicinal plant such as Nirmasi and Jimbu due to low precipitation in the High mountain region. Similarly, more than 75 % respondent explored that monsoon has started one or two weeks later and increased the more number of drought days in the Mid-mountain and Terai. Study found that there was also decreased in water sources, ground water, and increased siltation and sedimentation in the downstream Terai region. Furthermore, change in flowering and fruiting time in some species, increased invade species like Agerative spp, Lantana camera in the farm land as well as forest land.

Adaptation measures such as use of water source, community forest management, planting trees and grasses in the farm land, crop diversification were practiced by local people in their farm land as well as communal land. Natural resource degradation, poverty are already severe problems in this region, and there will be more severe problems in future if present scenario continues, particularly because small farmers do not have adequate resources to adopt to cope with climate change impact. Study showed that Mid-mountain region is less vulnerable through climate change than other regions. Furthermore, no policies and programs have been formulated for adaptation strateragy in this region. It is suggested that policy and program should formulate holistic approach and develop low cost technology for adaption to climate change impact and improve livelihood of the local communities.

Keywords: 

Extreme events, livelihood, rainfall, temperature, variability, vulnerability
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Tiwari_Climate_Change_2010.pdf179.95 KB
 

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