Climate Variability and Change in the Himalayas: Community Perceptions and Responses

Mountain communities in the developing world are often marginalised from political influence and economic opportunities and generally face high levels of poverty. The ecosystems they dwell in are among the Earth’s most sensitive. Mountain ecosystems and mountain people are exposed to multiple drivers of change including globalisation, economic policies, and increasing pressure on land and mountain resources resulting from economic growth and changes in population and lifestyle. Climate change is expected to place additional stress on these already challenged ecosystems and livelihoods. The present study was designed to investigate how climate and socioeconomic change is affecting mountain people’s livelihoods, what makes them vulnerable, and how they are coping with and adapting to change. ICIMOD conducted a community-based vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment in four different areas under the framework of the International for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) 1113 on ‘Livelihoods and ecosystem services in the Himalayas: Enhancing adaptation capacity and resilience of the poor to climate and socioeconomic changes (AdaptHimal)’. The four study areas from west to east were in Uttarakhand in northwestern India (two districts); Nepal (two districts), Eastern Bhutan (two districts), and North East India (one district in Assam and one in Meghalaya).