It is evident that a mountainous country like Nepal will feel the effects of climate change, and it is people with the least economic resources who are vulnerable to climatic extremes. The poor are most affected because they have less protection, fewer reserves and alternatives, and a lower adaptive capacity because of their reliance on subsistence farming.
Climate change may alter rainfall and snowfall patterns. The incidence of extreme weather events such as droughts, storms, floods and avalanches is also expected to increase, leading to loss of lives and reduced agricultural production. Traditional wisdom and knowledge that once ensured food security during natural hazards may no longer prove effective.
The lack of long-term climatic data is a major problem in studying climate change and its impact in Nepal. However, local people who have experienced the phenomenon with reference to various living organisms, may be one of the best sources of information. Their experiences and realization of climate change with respect to the change in natural resources needs to be studied.
Although there has been increasing global interest in measuring the impacts of climate change, very few studies have been carried out in Nepal on the topic. This study aims to examine the impacts of climate change on natural resources as perceived by indigenous peoples, while examining the effect of climate change on livelihood. The study will also document adaptation and mitigation strategies of indigenous people in the northeastern part of Ilam district in the Kangchenjunga Singalila Complex, an area where several ethnic groups – Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Gurung, Thami and Lepcha, live.
For more information, contact ncdcilam@ntc.net.np.