Climate change vulnerability and ecosystem based adaptation: A climate friendly

integrated approach implemented by local community.Shiva Pokhrel

Abstract

The conservation and sustainable use of biological resources and help local people to adapt in

adverse impacts is best solution of adapting towards the anticipated climate change. To

address the effective means of adaptation it is necessary to know in which natural system

they live. Mainly local people perception, experience, Indigenous practices are often under-

prioritized due to lack of scientific proof. Many Nepalese people in rural area have been

implementing such cost effective and eco-friendly mechanism knowingly and unknowingly.

Therefore this study introduces different kinds of local people activities and approach which

are used towards changing environment. A case study of the Panchase Area western region of

Nepal is presented to demonstrate the applicability of this approach. The result of the study

shows the how the local people of panchase area are responding toward climate variability

and its impacts on different ecosystem goods and services including agriculture. The

protection of biodiversity is essential in the fight to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable

development. The impact of environmental degradation is most severe for people living in

Poverty, because they have few livelihood options to fall back on. This study with the aim of

assessing and documenting ecosystem based adaptation strategies of rural people to climate

change effects. Primary data were collected from household survey. Local Indigenous

adaptations methods are mostly adapted by the various communities in the study area.

Various ecosystem based adaptation practices have been carried out by local people towards

anticipated climate change and they are applied epically in forest and soil conservation,

agriculture, livestock, and tourism and watershed management.

1. Introduction The most serious problems facing the world today – water and food supply crises, extreme

volatility in energy and food prices, rising greenhouse gas emissions, severe income disparity,

chronic fiscal Imbalances and terrorism (World Economic Forum, 2012) – either curtail from

environmental Mismanagement or inequality, or both. Aside from the persistent economic

imbalances that mostly concern the developed economies, developing countries are the most

vulnerable to all of these risks. Among these problems the climate change have becomes the

most serious problems which is caused by various anthropogenic activates mainly the

emission of different green house gases in to the atmosphere. The concentration of carbon

dioxide (CO2) in Earth's atmosphere has reached 391 ppm (parts per million) as of October

2012 and rose by 2.0 ppm/yr during 2000–2009 and faster since then. This current

concentration is substantially higher than the CO2 has increased by 11.7ppm to 390.48 ± 0.28

ppm in 2011 (Mastrandrea et al., 2011) concentration present in pre-industrial times, with the

increase largely attributed to anthropogenic sources. (Trenberth et al., 2007) Although

Nepal’s total green house gas emissions share, is negligible compared to the global

community Nepal has experienced an average maximum annual temperature increase of

0.060C. This rate of increase is higher in the mountains than in other regions. Despite having

only 0.4 percent of the total global population and being responsible for only 0.025(karki,

2007) percent of total GHG emissions in the world, Nepal will be affected

disproportionately,especially from increasing atmospheric temperature(Mall, 2008)Changes

in the annual rainfall cycle, intense rainfall and longer droughts have been observed.

Similarly, both days and nights are presently warmer ( Gurung et al.2010). The timing and

duration of rainfall is changing. As glaciers recede from rapid snow and ice melting, glacier

lakes are expanding (MoE2010). The adverse impacts of climate change have been noticed in

agriculture and food security, water resources, forests and biodiversity, health, tourism and

infrastructures. Climate-induced disasters and other effects have caused damages and losses

to life, property, and livelihoods. (MoE2010.)

Adaptation to Climate change is defined as “any kind of adjustment in natural or human

systems, in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates

harm or exploits beneficial opportunities” (IPCC 2007). In the face of predicted climate

change, communities are encouraged to develop adaptation strategies. Adaptation strategies

in mountain environments by considering ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation

(‘EBA’), defined as “the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall

adaptation strategy, to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change (CBD

2009). EBA uses a range of opportunities for the sustainable management, conservation and

restoration of ecosystems to provide services that enable people to adapt to the impacts of

climate change (CBD 2010). Ecosystem-based adaptation may thus be used in conjunction

with structural, measures, to provide integrated adaptation to climate change. Adaption is one

of the important tools to fight against the climate change so the preparation of the National

adaptation program of Action (NAPA) is the first official initiative for mainstream adaptation

into national policies and action for addressing the ill impacts of climate change and reducing

the vulnerability to climate change stimuli including extreme adverse impacts.However

country like Nepal where many people livelihood are directly dependent on biological

resources so it should be able to address how it can be the effective to tackle with climate

change by utilizing the available local resources.(UNDP ,2012) i.e. biodiversity according to

geographic and ecological location of the places so the Ecosystem based adaption(EbA) can

be the good effective option for the local people of rural mountain , as mountain are define in

terms of inaccessibility, fragility, marginality, diversity, biological niches, and human

adaptation mechanisms.

2. Methods and materials

Description of methodology framework

This section present methodological framework for assessing the impacts of climate change

and evaluating ecosystem based adaptation approach of local community. (See fig.1) The

framework based on the assumption that there is interlink between climate change, ecosystem

goods and services and local people livelihood activities.

However it is difficult to get the different data related with amount and quantity of different

kinds of ecosystem goods and services. It consists with three Main steps.

1. Documentation and analysis of people precipitation on climate change ,its impacts on

major ecosystem goods and services

2. Evaluation of people perceptions

3. Ecosystem based adaptation approach ( response)

Impacts

Adjustment

Fig. 1 An integrated framework proposed in this study

Climate change Natural System

Livelihood

Water available

Agriculture

Tourism

Adaptation

Planned

Autonomous

Eco-system based Adaptation

Evaluation

People perception

Responses

2.1.1 People’s perception

Local people’s perceptions are the one of the means to identify local issues (Manandhar et al.

2013, Danielsen et al. 2005) and it provides the general picture about the impacts including

the climatic variability in the different activities in which they expose every day, mainly to

those associated with local factors, which cannot be simulated or derived from the different

sophisticated prototype. Local or Indigenous peoples knowledge are essential means for

executing adaptation plan. (Deressa et al. 2009) people’s perception has great influences on

decisions on their response to climate change (Byg and Salick 2009). For such changes that

are apparent most people take curative step against the impacts of climate change (Balete

2011). Perception of adaptation reveals those ongoing actions and responses, as well as

barriers and future opportunities, which will guide adaptation planning. In light of that it is

important as well as necessary to collect, document and understand the local people

perception which are the output of their own experience on environmental and climatic

variability in their local system and their own effort which have been practiced by them in

their own innovation.

People perception have primarily documented through the qualitative RRA (rapid rural

appraisal tools, these includes direct filed observation, transect walks, focal group discussion

key informant interviews and time line establishment. Along these qualitative tools, house-

hold surveys are conducted using structured questionnaires. Simple descriptive statistics and

chi- 2 square (χ) tests are performed to investigate the relationship between people’s

perception and various climatic parameters. Additionally, qualitative information in the form

of narrative experiences are also provided, bearing witness to the changing climate and

increasing climatic variability and adaptation practices carried out by local community in the

study area. Secondary sources such as reports, papers, and books are also reviewed

2.2.3 People Responses

While determining the where adaptation take place and how it is carried out, issues like

perception, interpretation and decision making are in central (Berkhout et al. 2006).

Based on the results of people’s perception and their evaluation, the framework move

forward to the final step: response. Based on this information, location- and situation-specific

adaptation options are reviewed in the water, agriculture, forestry, Tourism. While analyzing

the adaptation practices they are carried out by local people are seems to be Eco-friendly

from an environmental perspective, affordable from an economical perspective

2.2 Study Area

The study was conducted in the Panchase protected areas of Gandak region of western Nepal,

which extent in seventeen village development committees (VDCs) of Kaski, Parbat and

Syangia district the protected area occupying 57.76 km² and was designated by government

of Nepal in 2012 (Mofs 2012)This region is the important sources of ecosystem goods and

services specially water for the local domestic users and adjoining areas besides this it is also

the important sources of water for downstream areas. Several perennial and seasonal streams

such as Harpan Khola, Rati Khola, Aandi Khola, Mahabir Khola, Sawan Khola, Jare Khola,

Ghatte Khola, and Tuni Khola begin in this area. These streams serve as sources of drinking

and irrigation water for adjoining and downstream settlements (Upadhyay, 2012). Harpan

Khola is the main source of water for Phewa Lake, which is the important source of Phewa

Hydropower Plant based in Pokhara city. This Lake is a source of livelihoods for the

thousands of people who directly or indirectly involved tourism. The climate of the area is

subtropical to temperate. The temperature ranges from 34 degree Celsius during summer to as

low as 3 degree Celsius in the winter. Monsoon (June, July and August) sees around 80 % of

the rainfall with an annual average rainfall of 3,355 mm.( DHM,2012) The procted area is

located in the range of 1450 m to 2157 m above from mean sea level . It is predominantly

occupied by tropical and temprate mixed evergreen forest (Upadhyay, 2012).

Human settlement has the mixed social system comprising of Gurung, Brahmin, Chhetri,

Bishwakarma, Nepali, Pariyar, Newar and Magar It is only one biological path (corridor) to

link Annapurna Himalaya range with lowland (Chitwan–Nawalparasi). It comprises

pilgrimage and old ‘gombas’ (sacred place for Buddhists) including a sacred pond. These

days this protected area is gaining popularity among tourists because of a panoramic view of

mountains and peaks (Machapuchhre, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri) from a single location

(Jana and Poudel, 2010). As Ecosystem based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal

is working in this area so this study is done to identify the what are the different ecosystem

goods and services that are adversely affected by the climate variability and how the local

people are coping such adverse impacts.

Map Showing Study Area Data sources UNDP Nepal

People’s perception on variabilities, impacts, and ecosystem based adaptation

Local people perception of climate change and variabilites , impacts and ecosystem based

adaptation is examined in Panchase area (Kaski, Parbat and Syangia) district of Nepal.

Altogether 133 household were surveyed using structured questioners. Most of the

respondent of respective district replied that the pattern, intensity and amount of rainfall

have changed than it used to be before.

However, erratic rainfall and hail is observed throughout the district within and between

seasons. More than 88% of respondent interview fell that change in the duration of summer

and winter month as well as temperature during these seasons. Change in climatic variables

has indubitably brought about some changes in the ecosystem decline in agricultural crop

production, Fodder and ground grass deficit, Water resources depletion and change in the

phenology of certain species, Encroachment of invasive species etc.

Ecosystem based adaptation strategies practiced by local community in different sectors

Forestry sector

Agriculture Sector

Livestock

Construction of forest fire lines, living fences and periodic weeding Constructing different living fences of phaledo’  Erythrina suberosa , “Ainselu” Rubus ellipticus“Chutro”Berberis aristata,Suedi”Opuntia vulgaris , Agave Americana etc. Protection of forest and plantation of tree Local people are planting different kinds of local native tree species around their home garden Promoting agroforestry system. Species like Alnus nepalensis,Ficus species , Grewia optiva, etc. Change in agriculture cultivation People have been trying to reduce the paddy field and trying to cultivate other suitable crops which can be irrigated with small amount of water and less susceptible to damages by adverse climate of prevalent areas. Adjustment in the crop growing season Respondent were not willing to adapt these practices but the unusual change in climate forced them to do so. The early or late planted certain crop have negative impacts on the other crop followed by this crops i.e. late cultivation of paddy creates problems for wheat and mustard cultivation period. All these practices are carried out based on their own knowledge and experience. Application local organic pesticide and insecticides People are using Locally available resources for the pesticides and insecticides, species like Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum), Titepati (Artemisia indica), Asuro (Adhatoda vesica) and cattle urine as main local ingredient used for pesticide and insecticide. Plantation of fodder species and Stall feeding of livestock Control opens grazing which have major damages on forest regeneration and development, Easily available of dung and manure for the agriculture filed from

Water resources

Energy resources

Tourism

animal cottage and small fuel wood. Reclaiming and restoration of degraded land The different waste and degraded land have been converted in to community forestry where local people are planting different kinds of tree species for the fodder, fuel wood and timber species like Thysanolaena maxima (Broom grass) and Alnus nepalensis, cinamom tamela and different ficus species which became the important sources of income for the poor community and fodder supplement for livestock on the other hand.

Watershed protection activities Different kinds of activities have been practiced by local people for conservation of watershed which includes control of open grazing, restoration of watershed by planting different tree species near the water resources and formulation of rule and regulation against open grazing and other activities which degraded the watershed. Which contribute to regulating river flows – base flows during dry seasons and peak flows during rainfall events and minimising risks related to water scarcity and floods Rehabilitation of traditional ponds/water bodiesPonds are the one of the important attraction of study area from the ecological point of view as well as from religious point. They are also the sources of water for human livestock. People are improving the pounds by collecting rain water and improving the leakage area. Later water can be used by wild as well as by domestic animal. Uses renewable sources of energy Fuel wood is the major sources of energy, which are obtain from sustainably managed community forest.Developing rural tourism Locals have started providing 'home-stay' services to tourists as more and more tourists are visiting the place and tourism activities have increased where people keep the visitor in their home in fewer expenses. It may discourage for the construction of large types of hotel in area prevent from damage caused by the construction of large hotel.

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