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Protected areas (PAs) are extensively used as one of the most important strategies for biodiversity conservation
. They can contribute to maintaining or recovering biophysical structures, processes and functions of the ecosystems within the PA and even around it. However, the management of most PAs is facing a growing set of challenges due to climate change, unsustainable use of resources, and other socio-economic perturbations, especially in the surrounding landscape of the PAs. Therefore, it is crucial that the PA´s management know and understand the nonlinear relationships and feedback loops affecting the socioecological system (SES) in which the PA is embedded. This research selected Parsa National Park (PNP) in Nepal as a case study to analyse its SES, using the ecosystem approach. PNP, whose status has recently been changed from a wildlife reserve to a national park, is one of the 20 protected areas in Nepal and is located in the intersection of the Tarai and Siwalik physiographic zones. It has a very important socioecological role in facilitating the connectedness of different ecosystems – it enables the mobility of wild animals across these two zones – as well as in providing many ecosystem services such as the provision of nontimber products, carbon sequestration, control of erosion rates, buffering and attenuation of mass flows, micro and regional climate regulation, and water flow maintenance, among others. The purpose of the study was to develop a systemic analysis which includes visualizing and describing the SES in order to identify the key elements, patterns, trends and complex relationships in the system and, based on that, to understand how the emergent properties of the system can arise and influence its sustainability. The method “adaptive MAnagement of vulnerability and RISk at COnservation sites” (MARISCO) framed the methodology that was applied. It included a systematic literature review of secondary sources, semi-structured interviews, and a validation workshop with the stakeholders. This study confirms that PNP is clearly embedded in an SES which goes beyond the administrative boundaries of the PA. The interdependence and complexity of the relationships identified within the SES and with the surroundings suggest that cross-scale and multilevel perspectives need to be included in the PA´s management paradigm. The study has also identified that the main ecological dynamics that have been affected are those related to the hydrological system and the connectedness of the landscape. Even though climate change is altering precipitation and temperature patterns, the main drivers affecting the system dynamics are mainly attributable to human activities. This creates a set of challenges for transforming the development pathways in Nepal towards a more sustainable model. The results show the need to promote adaptive governance in order to frame the implementation of an adaptive management programme in PNP; this includes adopting a participatory approach whereby the ecological knowledge of the local population is taken into account, and also by promoting a culture of shared learning. The present study lays the groundwork for future research to improve the understanding of the dynamics of the SES of PNP, to incorporate the ecosystem approach into PNP´s management, and even to scale it up to the entire landscape. Taken together, these findings have significant implications for the understanding of how the SES of a PA influences its sustainability in the short, medium and long terms
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Springs are the most important source of water for millions of people in the mid-hills of the Himalaya
. Both rural and urban communities depend on springs for meeting their drinking, domestic, and agricultural water needs. There is now increasing evidence of springs drying up or their discharge reducing, as a result of which communities are facing water stress. The science of springs and hydrogeology are usually not well understood; aspects like linking recharge areas, the movement of groundwater and the difference between ‘source’ and ‘resource’ of springshed systems need to be demystified to local communities, administrators, and landowners. Springs are also part of complex social and informal governance systems, which are often inadequate both in terms of governance and management of the sources. This can also lead to disruption in the recharge areas. To provide more insights into these issues, this Working Paper identifies and maps spring systems, water budgeting, groundwater flows, and governance issues around the pilot areas of the Chibo–Pashyor watershed of Kalimpong. A total of 55 springs were mapped in the study site and 12 critical springs were selected for monitoring and detailed study, based on vulnerability criteria developed for this research. An analysis of water access, discharge, and budgeting, based on the “National Rural Drinking Water Programme Guidelines 2013”, was also conducted. Furthermore, in order to understand spring sources and resources as well as recharge areas, hydrogeological and lithological studies were conducted. For this study, understanding groundwater flow was critical. Groundwater is stored and transmitted through aquifers. So, an aquifer is considered the basic element in any study of groundwater or watershed development. Spring water is part of the groundwater system and only becomes “surface water” after flowing into a surface waterbody such as a stream or a lake. Based on a study of critical springs in the watershed, the paper presents a set of recommendations related to key issues of governance and management. It also explains the science behind the drying up of springs in the study area. Finally, key take-home messages for communities, practitioners, and administrators are provided to promote conservation of these springs for the future water security of the area, and to link it to climate change adaptation actions
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This assessment analyses the vulnerability of the ecosystem, infrastructure, and socio-economic conditions in Hakha Township located in Chin State, Myanmar in relation to present and projected climatic conditions
. It concludes that the current vulnerability of Hakha Township is high, and with the predicted changes in climate, decision makers in Hakha Township will need to plan for increased flash floods and landslides, strong winds, increased temperature, and erratic rainfall with greater amounts of rain within a shorter monsoon season. Based on these findings, required actions for building resilience over the medium to long term are proposed in this report
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This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations
. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals
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This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region
. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC). This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals. This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports
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Werners, S.; Bhadwal, S.; Pandey, A.; Prakash, A.; Wester, P.; Mamnun, N.; Hassan, T.; Ishaq, S.; Ahmad, B.; Dahri, Z. H.
Development is occurring against a backdrop of vulnerability to climate change
. In order for development decisions to be sustainable in a changing climate they need to include choices and actions that modify climate change and its impacts and sustain development efforts over time. In the context of adaptation to climate change, adaptation pathways are proposed as a promising decision-focused approach to incorporate flexibility and account for future uncertainties (e.g. Haasnoot et al., 2013, Wise et al., 2014, Bosomworth et al., 2017). Adaptation pathways sequence measures over time and allow for progressive implementation depending on how the future unfolds, on the development of knowledge, and on stakeholder inputs and priorities. Other potentials are the ability to identify ‘no or low regrets’ interventions and to avoid lock-in, threshold effects, and maladaptive consequences. Thus, adaptation pathways may hold the promise to help plan and implement activities in an overall vision of development and climate change resilience
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HI-AWARE’s overall goal is to enhance the adaptive capacities and climate resilience of the poor and vulnerable women, men, and children in the mountains and plains of the glacier and snowpack-dependent river basins of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), focusing on the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins, through the development of robust evidence to inform people-centred and gender sensitive climate change adaptation policies and practices for improving livelihoods
. This report documents the journey of HI-AWARE from February 2014 to October 2018. This end of project report provides a comprehensive overview of the project, its major outcomes and impact. It is aimed at researchers, policy makers, practitioners and students interested in the issue of climate change adaption in HKH region as well as project management, research with impact, and capacity building in large scale action research settings. The report is divided into three parts: generating knowledge, research uptake and strengthening expertise
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Countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) have made advances in socioeconomic development in recent years, but the challenge remains to ensure food and nutrition security, end hunger and poverty, and provide access to safe water and clean energy to a burgeoning population
. Leaders in the region have committed to inclusive growth and climate resilient development as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030. Achieving these goals requires a multifaceted approach including integrated solutions; efficient and sustainable use of land, water, energy and ecosystems; strengthening upstream-downstream linkages; and increased regional and subregional coordination and connectivity.In response to these concerns, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) with the Government of India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoAFW) and the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) conducted a “Knowledge Forum on Climate Resilient Development in the Himalayan and Downstream Regions” on 16–17 June 2016 in New Delhi, India. As a multisector platform, the event brought practitioners, senior government officials, policy makers, experts, researchers and development workers together to deliberate on issues common to the HKH. Participants from Himalayan and downstream countries, including Bangladesh, China, India and Nepal discussed ideas and solutions to ensure food, water and energy security and how to promote climate resilient development. Through six themes, the conference delved into challenges, opportunities and integrated solutions linking science and policy for inclusive growth and climate resilient development
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This study aims to deepen our understanding about local climate change trends, adaptation approaches and strategies of the government, NGOs, and other actors, and emerging adaptation practices in key impacted sectors in the Lower Teesta basin in Bangladesh
. This region, regarded as one of the important food baskets of the country, has been experiencing varied changes in climate variability (including temperature rises, heat stress, low and erratic rainfall, and prolonged droughts), falling groundwater levels, and climatic extremes such as frequent and devastating floods, riverbank erosion, and thunderstorms. These climate change and other stressors are hurting sectors such as agriculture, water, sanitation and health, fisheries, food security, regional infrastructure, housing, and the livelihoods of common people in general
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This study is an effort to contribute to the empirical literature on the diverse patterns of migration, adaptation measures by households facing environmental changes, and the role of migration in augmenting household adaptive capacities in four river basins of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, namely the Gandaki, the Indus, the Upper Ganga and the Teesta
. Recent studies indicate that migration can be a powerful adaptation strategy for populations facing global environmental changes, by increasing the ability of the households to rely on their existing resource base. However, there still exist gaps in empirical findings, particularly quantitative studies investigating migration and adaptation, to fully support this. Migration patterns in the study sites are diverse, ranging from seasonal/circular migration to international migration. However, most migration is internal and international migration is limited mainly to South-South movement. Migration is mostly male-dominated; however, female migration is increasing with women getting more educated and seeking employment opportunities in urban destinations. The major driver of migration decisions is economic, but environmental displacement was also prevalent in the study sites. The reasons for migration were consistent across the study basins, but differed between different streams of the same basin. The adaptive capacities of households in four key sectors are analysed – agriculture, livestock, forestry, and water. The capacity of households to adapt to the negative effects of environmental changes and shocks in the study sites was low, and the adaptation measures undertaken mostly autonomous, except in the case of the water sector. The linkage between migration and household adaptive capacity was found to be positive, but statistically significant only in the agricultural sector. Thus, migration helps households’ adaptive capacity by spatially diversifying household income sources, but this potential is limited at present as remittances are small and mostly invested in meeting basic requirements. Thus, at present, migration is more a response strategy of the households to various changes, including environmental changes and their effects on local livelihoods
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