Impacts of climate change to the transhumance system and local adaptation measures in the Himalayas — YRD

Impacts of climate change to the transhumance system and local adaptation measures in the Himalayas (1014)

Suman Aryal 1 2 , Geoff Cockfield 1 2 , Tek Narayan Maraseni 2
  1. Institute for Agriculture and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Australia, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
  2. Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments (ACSC), University of Southern Queensland Australia, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia
Traditional social-ecological systems are facing challenges in adapting to new disturbances. Transhumance system in the Himalayas was evolved to utilise the seasonal availability of grazing resources distributed at different elevations and has been shaped by centuries of trial and errors generating experiences and ideas for sustaining livelihood and natural resources. Recently, this system is experiencing a number of threats arose from globalisation and climate change among others. Climate models have predicted pronounced warming in high altitude regions in the Himalayas. But, there is no information about the impacts of climate change to the transhumance system and local adaptation measures. One hundred and forty five transhumant herders were interviewed and 6 focus groups were conducted to identify perceived impacts of climate change and explore adaptation strategies in the mountainous areas of Nepal. Transhumant herders have observed fast melting of snow in the rangelands, drying of water resources and increase in drought. Other noticeable changes were early induce in greenery and flowering/maturing of plants in the rangelands, appearance of new plant species in the rangelands and new diseases to the livestock. Mobility of herd, diversification of herd composition, storage of feeding resources and communal pooling were the local adaptation measures practiced by transhumant herders in Nepal Himalayas. A number of qualifications that can reduce vulnerability to climate change and strengthen adaptation measures of such traditional systems are also discussed.
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