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Consolidated Reply
Query: Climate Change in the Hindu Kush Himalayas -
Experiences, Examples
Compiled by Ramesh Jalan, G Padmanabhan and Mamta katwal, Resource Persons
and Jai Kumar Gaurav and Nupur Gupta, Research Associates
Issue Date: 11 January 2011

From Krishna S. Vatsa, Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery-

UNDP, New Delhi
Posted 14 December 2010
Dear Members,

The Regional Climate Risk Reduction Project (RCRRP), supported by European Commission
Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) and implemented by UNDP’s Bureau for Crisis Prevention and
Recovery (BCPR) through respective UNDP Country Offices in Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan
aims to develop and implement climate risk management strategies to reduce the
risks faced by mountain communities and to mitigate impacts of hydro-
meteorological hazards. The geographical coverage of the project spans selected communities
across four countries in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, viz. Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
With a view to understand and assess the whole gamut of issues related to climate-induced risks,
their impacts and adaptation and mitigation issues practitioners from the fields of disaster
management, climate change, environment management, development planning, NGOs,
community-based organizations, local representative institutions, technical agencies and
research/academic institutions are invited to share their knowledge, experiences and
observations on the subject.

We request members to respond to the following:

• What are the existing Early Warning Systems being used for tackling climate
change/climate variability?
• What is the level of understanding of Climate Change Adaptation among the people,
policy makers and Panchayati Raj institutions and how can these be enhanced?
• What are the mitigation efforts being taken at the regional level to combat climate
change?

In addition members may kindly share case studies, documents and related literature, relevant to
the above areas.

The experience and knowledge generated through the implementation of pilot initiatives under
the RCRRP would contribute towards establishing a sustainable model to link climate change
adaptation and DRR measures at the community level. The technical inputs, knowledge
resources, experiences and learning shared would be compiled with due acknowledgement in the
form of a report. The process will culminate into an exhaustive knowledge bank on inter-related
issues.

The information and experience shared will contribute towards building a knowledge base to
inform and feed into the programmatic interventions. We look forward to your inputs,
comments, experiences and learnings on the subject.

Responses were received, with thanks, from

1. Chicu Lokgariwar, PSI, Dehradun
2. Phurba Lhendup, WWF Bhutan, Thimpu
3. Farasat Ali, Gilgit Conservation and Information Center, WWF Pakistan
4. Mohinder Slariya , Chamba, Himachal Pradesh
5. Arvind Kumar Sinha, Regional Climate Risk Reduction Project, UNDP BCPR South
and South West Asia, New Delhi
6. Amber Masud, UNDP, Pakistan
7. J.P.Maithani, Alakanada Ghaati Shilpi Federation (AAGAAS FEDERATION),
Pipalkoti, Chamoli, Uttarakhand
8. K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya Initiative, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
9. Aditi Umrao , UNDP, New Delhi

Further contributions are welcome!

Summary of Responses
Comparative Experiences
Related Resources
Responses in Full

Summary of Responses
Climate Change and Climate Variability has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of
hydro-meteorological hazards in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, putting at risk not only
infrastructure, services, assets, environment and livelihoods but also lives of the numerous
mountain communities of this region. Though many communities have adopted coping
mechanisms to deal with these changes, their vulnerabilities are further aggravated by poverty,
and extreme pressure on resources. Effective climate risk management would require a strong
policy framework for Himalayan region that supports community-based preparedness and
mitigation measures and is complemented by information sharing, awareness, and
training/capacity building to cope with disasters.

One of the key components of an effective climate risk management system is an Early Warning
System (EWS) built on indigenous knowledge of climate/environmental systems. Early warnings
mostly originate from meteorological departments who then communicate the warning to locals
through local administrators at the District level. In Gilgit Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan,
meteorological stations, and river flow detectors constitute vital components of the early warning
system. They are complemented by various telecommunication channels, print and digital media
(including CCTV, Radio, and local newspapers) and internet platforms. While these modern
means of hazard monitoring and communication are keys to EWS, less technology intensive and
traditional community-based systems of observation, monitoring and
dissemination/communication also need to be recognized, strengthened and integrated into the
system. In GB region of Pakistan indigenous methods of observation of precipitation and
temperature changes, other weather and seasonal hazards and issuance of warnings using
loudspeakers, fire signals/torches, beating of drums, gunshots, announcements in
mosques/religious/community buildings, by going on foot in the village etc. are practiced.

Establishing and improving multi-hazard early warning system for timely warnings has been
identified as a priority in the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF-2007) in Pakistan.
Strengthening such systems is also one of the five priority areas under the Hyogo Framework for
Action, 2005. However, governments often lack financial and technical resources to build
technical capacities of relevant institutions and have necessary equipments or information
regarding the hazard-prone areas in the absence of systematic hazard and vulnerability
assessment.

The Indian Metrology Department (IMD) in September 2010 launched a major project on
Integrated Forecasting and Communication system given the critical situation in Leh and
Uttarakhand. The Integrated Forecasting and Communication system includes setting up of
automatic weather stations, Doppler radars etc. but challenge is efficient, timely and effective
communication to the local communities in disaster like situations. Communities’ unwillingness to
evacuate even when the warnings are issued due to reluctance to leave behind their land
holdings and other immovable assets poses additional challenge to governments. Hence, it’s
critical that early warning systems to be effective should involve communities and be built on
inherent qualities of mountain communities such as unity and volunteerism. Equally important are
monitoring of climate behavior, development of climate and hydrological models and analysis of
different scenarios of climate change that could be used to assess impacts on natural resources
based livelihoods and develop effective strategies for disaster risk mitigation and management.

Adaptation measures at the local level have been shaped by observations of diminishing
productivity of crops and subsequent impacts on livelihoods, along with changes in behavior of
wild life indicating reduced forest produces that force these animals to enter the human inhabited
areas. In certain cases communities adopt traditional ways of dealing with the climate related
changes, including traditional water conservation techniques as used in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Communities in Kangra district use a traditional structure for conserving and harnessing water in
the mountains known as the Khatri, a 10’x10’x10’ percolation tank dug in the mountain requiring
special skills, the water of which is used for household and drinking purposes. Similarly in
Uttarakhand AAGAAS (Alaknanda Ghaati Shilpi Federation) is transplanting Bamboo and Arjuna
species in higher altitudes and is keeping record of the incidences.

In Pakistan, communities have adopted local level adaptation measures that include: protection
of the pastures, shift in farming patterns and techniques, planting of new crops which give higher
yields, local level conservation committees for protection of forests and pastures, planting
seabuck thorn as a soil binder for minimizing soil erosion, and local soil management techniques
for better production of crops and security of food.

Further, people construct their houses using indigenous material and techniques to accommodate
temperature and precipitation changes. Diversifications of livelihood options using alternate
crops/varieties, livestock and fish species, and modified input management are employed to
manage small changes in climatic parameters. Though risk reduction measures are evolving with
time and changing weather and climate, local communities still need assistance from government
authorities and other major stakeholders.

Despite the understanding of impacts of climate change/variability as well as adaptation

measures among communities, policy makers and Panchayati Raj institutions, there is a growing
need to enhance the knowledge, information and skill among local communities, as well as
institutions of local governance on climate change issues. This would include identification,
documentation and analysis of changes that are currently visible in the mountain regions,
education and awareness programs and assistance to local communities to adapt to them.
Despite efforts made at national levels in various countries of the HKH region, including
development of respective National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and declarations at South
Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC Thimpu Declaration 2010), local governance
institutions including Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in India while responsible for the
implementation of various government schemes often lack sufficient understanding and funds to
address the issue of climate change and variability.

Adaptation planning means planning for greater uncertainty, which in turn means more flexibility
and less prescriptive forms of planning. In countries such as Nepal and Bhutan, building adaptive
capacity or resilience could be the most effective adaptation strategy if community based
institutions such as community forestry user groups and alpine herders groups with a proven
track record of adaptation to the changing climate are actively involved. Decision-making
pertaining to adaptation should be based on interactions across sectors and levels (from
communities to various levels of governance upto the national level and across national borders)
so that policies, development planning and local processes are better linked.

Building ‘adaptive capacity’ or ‘resilience’ of community based institutions could be the first step
towards adaptation planning. Encouraging farmers in the mountains to increase the vegetation
cover on their lands through farm forestry, to adapt to heavy rainfall events and increased flash
floods; provision of credit and other incentives to farmers and communities to build farm-level
ponds, dug outs; storage tanks and other multi-purpose reservoirs on local lands should help
achieve the water efficiency and are important for adaptation to climate change.

Provision of credit for watershed protection and management will also help reduce the silting of
the dams, soil erosion and landslides. Programmes on risk reduction and preparedness for
climate risk management need to be based on climate change vulnerability assessment (CCVA),
involving local communities in the policy/programme development and implementation
processes, and should integrate climate risk reduction into development planning and
implementation.

Comparative Experiences
Pakistan

From Farasat Ali, Gilgit Conservation and Information Center, WWF Pakistan

Early Warning Mechanisms in Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilgit Baltistan Region

In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), there are Metrological Stations and River Flow detectors at various
locations. The Media is involved in supporting the Early Warning dissemination. The Disaster
Management Authority has a strong communications network and there are Intra line
departmental Dialogue set communications for police and line agencies for emergency response.

Mitigating the risk of climate variability at local level, Gilgit Baltistan Region
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), adaptation and risk reduction efforts include protection of the pastures,
shift in farming pattern and techniques, planting of new crops which give higher yields,
plantation of seabuck thorn as a soil binder for minimizing soil erosion, Local Trappe cropping
systems to minimized pest witness and attacks and Local Soil management techniques for better
production of crops and security of food.

Community Based Early Warning System, Gilgit Baltistan Region (from Amber Masud,
UNDP, Pakistan)
The Community Based Early Warning Systems are different in different areas e.g. lighting torches
at night, gun fires, announcements in mosques, by going around in village, beating the drums
and by telecommunications means. In the Ismailia community areas, village councils have
recruited community volunteers and scouts to observe and inform the volunteer captain about
unusual changes e.g. color and load of streams and rivers before flash floods, floods and GLOFs.

Himachal Pradesh

Traditional structures for conserving and harnessing water in the mountains, Kangra
(from Arvind Kumar Sinha, Regional Climate Risk Reduction Project, UNDP BCPR South and
South West Asia, New Delhi )
Kangra has very distributed rainfall pattern. The communities are using Khatri a kind of
percolation tank, dug in the mountains for water storage. Water from the mountain top
percolates down in the Khatri. Communities have also developed kitchen gardens to grow some
vegetables with help of water from Kharti. It was very helpful for fulfilling their daily needs of
vegetables for a family of 5 members.

Uttarakhand

Transplantation of Bamboo and Arjuna at higher Altitudes, Pipalkoti Chamoli (from

J.P.Maithani, Alaknanda Ghaati Shilpi Federation (AAGAAS FEDERATION), Pipalkoti, Chamoli,
Uttarakhand )
AAGAAS Federation transplanted Bamboo and Arjuna terminalia plants at altitude of 1259 m.
though these plants were not suitable for this altitude as they generally grow at the altitude of
upto 700 m only it is observed in the Biotourism Park at Pipalkoti Chamoli that these plants are
growing well. A center at Pipalkoti Chamoli is keeping record of similar incidences.
Leh and Uttarakhand

Integrated Forecasting and Communication System, (from K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya

Initiative, Dehradun, Uttarakhand )
The India Meteorology Department (IMD) in September 2010 launched a major project on
Integrated Forecasting and Communication System given the critical situation in Leh and
Uttarakhand to understand the complex phenomena of meteorological disasters. It included
setting up of automatic weather stations, Doppler radars, connecting them with most high speed
digital interconnecting systems and network as well as buying super computers etc.

Related Resources
Recommended Documentation

Enhancing Adaptive Capacity in Bhutan and Nepal (from Phurba Lhendup, Freshwater and
Climate Change Program, WWF Bhutan program Office, Thimphu)
Policy Research Brief; Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), UNEP Regional Resource Centre for
Asia and the Pacific (UNEP RRCAP), World Wildlife Fund (WWF Bhutan); 2010
Available at: http://www.sendspace.com/file/0epqxp[/url (PDF, Size: 16.3 MB)
Outlines steps for Bhutan and Nepal to advance with adaptation planning in respective
context of socio-economic, political and climate changes.

Documenting Climate Change in Uttarakhand (from Chicu Lokgariwar, PSI, Dehradun,

India)
Report; People’s Science Institute (PSI), Dehradun, India; June 2009-May 2010
Available at: http://www.peoplesscienceinstitute.com/activities/rcg/cc%20final%20may2010-
2.pdf (PDF, Size: 4.07 MB)
Baseline study of the impact of climate change in the mid-Himalayan valleys of
Uttarakhand to help mountain communities develop resilience to climate change.

National Disaster Management Framework (from Amber Masud, UNDP Pakistan)

Document; National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan; March 2007
Available at: http://www.ndma.gov.pk/BooksPublications.html (Doc, size: 3.12 MB)
Guidebook for disaster risk management; has identified multi-hazard early warning
system (EWS) as a priority to reducing disaster losses.

From K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya Initiative, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Floods caught the govt unprepared
News; Daily News and Analysis (DNA), Mumbai; 21 September 2010
Available at: http://www.dnaindia.com/opinion/editorial_floods-caught-the-govt
unprepared_1440801
Highlights the unpreparedness of the government stating that government need to
update its knowledge and information as a part of its preparedness.

Cloudsburst in Leh (India) may be due to climate change

News; Climate Himalayan Initiative; 26 August 2010
Available at: http://chimalaya.org/2010/08/26/cloudburst-in-leh-india-may-be-due-to-climate-
change/
 Indicates prolonged winters as a probable cause for the unnatural cloudburst in Ladakh,
which is a rain shadow area.

Integrated Weather Forecasting System Launched

News; Zee News; September 23 2010
Available at: http://www.zeenews.com/news657109.html
Highlights the launching of the Integrated Weather Forecasting System by the Indian
Metrological Department for more accurate metrological predictions.

Recommended Organizations and Programmes

Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) (from Chicu Lokgariwar, PSI, Dehradun, India)
Bombay House, Homi Mody Street, Mumbai 400 001, India; 91-22-6665 8282; 91-22-6665 8013;
srtt@tata.com;
http://www.srtt.org/institutional_grants/rural_livelihoods_communities/himmothan_pariyojana.ht
m
Initiated the Himmotthan Pariyojana (HMP) in Uttarakhand which funded the project
“Documenting Climate Change in Uttarakhand”- a study on the impact of climate change.

From Farasat Ali, Gilgit Conservation and Information Center, WWF Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), Government of Pakistan,

Pakistan
A new set up, works on disaster risk management and institutional capacity building and
toward strengthening the early warning systems in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Government of Pakistan,

Pakistan
WAPDA House, Sharah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore; 44869 WAPDA PK & 47305, WAPDA PK;
9202454; http://www.wapda.gov.pk/htmls/auth-index.html
Responsible for water and hydropower development. Main source of data for hydrological
forecasts and plays a major role in flood management using early warning systems.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), Government of Pakistan, Pakistan

HQs Civil Aviation Authority, JIAP, Karachi, Pakistan; 92-21 9248173; Dops@caapakistan.com.pk;
www.caapakistan.com.pk
Recommended for its Early Warning Systems stations installed in the Gilgit-Baltistan
region.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of Pakistan, Pakistan

051-9215412; 0300 5278981, 0331-5657779; maf@ndma.gov.pk;
http://www.ndma.gov.pk/AboutNDMA.html
Apex policy making body for disasters working toward achieving sustainable social,
economic and environmental development through reducing risks and vulnerabilities.

From Amber Masud, UNDP, Pakistan

Pakistan Meteorological Department, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan

Headquarter Office Sector H-8/2, Islamabad; 92-51-92503601; 92-51-9250368;
pakmet_islamabad@yahoo.com; http://www.pakmet.com.pk/rnd/rndweb/index2.htm
Institute for research work on climate change and subsequent increase in disasters;
NDMA working toward strengthening its technical capacity.
Federal Flood Commission, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan
http://www.ffc.gov.pk/
Responsible for planning and execution of flood protection work receiving technical
capacity advancement from NDMA.

Geological Survey of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan

P.B 15; Sariab Road, Quetta, 081-9211032; 081-9211018;qta@gsp.gov.pk;
http://www.gsp.gov.pk/
Responsible for the study of environmental geology, hydrological studies and natural
hazards.

From K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya Initiative, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Indian Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India,
India
Mausam Bhavan, Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003, India; http://www.imd.gov.in/; Contact: Mr.
Kamal Singh, Publication Section 91-11-4382-403
Launched the Integrated Forecasting and Communication System on 23 September 2010

Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttarakhand, India

0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233; http://gov.ua.nic.in/dmmc/about.aspx
Works under the aegis of DDM as the apex centre in the field of disaster mitigation and
management

Related Consolidated Replies

Disaster Risk Reduction in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, from Krishna S. Vatsa, Bureau
of Crisis Prevention and Recovery-UNDP, New Delhi (Experiences). Disaster
Management Community, Climate Change Community, Solution Exchange Bhutan,
New Delhi and Bhutan,
Issued 21/December/2010. Available at ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/drm/cr/cr-se-
drm-clmt-16111001.pdf (PDF,276 KB)
It is a compilation of experiences regarding disaster risk reduction in Hindu Kush
Himalayas.
Developing a Training Module for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change, from
Sarat Panda, UNDP, Thimphu (Advice; Experiences). Solution Exchange Bhutan; Issued 26
May 2010
Available at: http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.bt/cr/cr-se-bhutan-26051002.pdf (PDF, Size:
143 KB)
Offers inputs for a training module on disaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation through natural resource management

Developing a PPP Framework for Climate Change Adaptations and DRR Efforts -
Advice; Examples from Tanvi Patel, Centre for Integrated Development, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat
Climate Change and Disaster Management Community
Available at: ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-clmt-drm-27071001.pdf (PDF;
Size: 147 KB)
Elaborates on possible frameworks that could be effectively used in order to include
public/private partnerships in climate change adaptation and DRR
Developing Climate Responsive Approaches to Managing Disaster Risk from Amit
Tuteja, SEEDS, New Delhi for Alliance for Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction
Disaster Management and Climate Change Community
Available at: ftp://ftp.solutionexchange.net.in/public/clmt/cr/cr-se-drm-clmt-28051001.pdf (PDF
Size: 276 KB)
Shares experiences of adaptation to Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Programmes, and identifies key challenges faced in implementing such adaptation
programmes

Responses in Full
Chicu Lokgariwar, PSI, Dehradun

We have recently completed a study on people's perceptions of climate change in mid-altitude

villages in the Uttarakhand Himalayas. The economy of the mountain communities of
Uttarakhand is largely dependent on its natural resource base and climate-sensitive livelihoods
like subsistence agriculture, pastoralism and forestry. However, the impacts of climate change
are visible in mid- and high- altitude regions in the shape of changes in ecosystems and changes
in seasons. These changes have both positive and negative effects on resource-based
livelihoods. There is a need to identify the changes that are currently visible in the mountain
regions, analyze them and help the local communities to adapt to them.

This project ‘Documenting Climate Change in Uttarakhand’ is funded by Himmothan and has
collected information from local communities about possible climate related changes and help
increase their resilience to climate change. It’s stated objectives are:

• To document evidence of possible climate related changes in Uttarakhand’s mid-

Himalayan mountain region.
• To assess the likely impact of the observed changes on natural resources based
livelihoods.
• To outline the possible scope for adaptation

The study focused on participatory assessment, but these perceptions were corroborated by
botanical surveys and analysis of weather data. The climate-led changes that most impacted
mountain communities and livelihoods were:

• Increasing aridity (especially winter precipitation)

• Lack of freezing temperatures
• Increase in extreme weather events.

The report details the above changes, community reactions, corroborative data, and adaptation
strategies. In addition, other changes that are experienced by communities such as changes in
ecosystemic composition, increase in pests, etc are also noted. The report is available here as a
PDF document; I hope you find it useful.

Phurba Lhendup, WWF Butan, Thimpu

This is really a good initiative from UNDP-BPCR. WWF and the Stockholm Environment Institute
has recently come up with a new document “Enhancing Adaptive Capacity in Bhutan and Nepal”
and I have uploaded at this link for download:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0epqxp[/url

The above document mentions efforts taken by Nepal and Bhutan separately as well as jointly
including the development of respective National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA) and
declarations at South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC Thimpu Declaration
2010) adaptation needs to be seen as complementary to, an integral part of, development
planning. Adaptation planning means planning for greater uncertainty, which in turn means more
flexibility and less prescriptive forms of planning.

Building adaptive capacity or resilience could be the most effective adaptation strategy for the
two countries where community based institutions such as community forestry user groups and
alpine herders groups have a proven track record of adaptation to the changing climate.

This research brief outlines how Bhutan and Nepal can advance with adaptation planning in
respective context of socio-economic, political and climatic changes. Some main policy
implications that have been drawn are:

1) Adaptation is not about crafting something new but it is about building on experiences and
scaling up those resilience-building activities that are already happening.

2) The use of both climate models and vulnerability approach would help to better understand
and integrate climate into development planning processes.

3) Understanding the potential utility of the concepts of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive
capacity is vital for these countries where there has been a greater concern about proactive
planning for adaptation activities. Building ‘adaptive capacity’ or ‘resilience’ of community
based institutions could be the first step towards adaptation planning.

4) Adaptation decision-making requires cross-sectoral and cross-level interactions so that

policy actions, development planning and local processes are better linked.

5) The national level focus may create mal-adaptations across borders especially given that
ecosystems do not lie within sovereign national boundaries therefore landscape approach to
planning is essential.

This document may perhaps answer your second question. To me conducting climate change
vulnerability assessment (CCVA) prior to any climate adaptation activities would provide better
platform to make strategies and implement appropriate activities. I think CCVA has not been
done in any part of Bhutan, so the understanding of climate change among people may vary
across the Himalayas.

Farasat Ali, Gilgit Conservation and Information Center, WWF Pakistan

What are the present early Warning Systems being used for tackling climate
change/climate variability?
The early warning systems used in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) are mostly Stations established by
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Pakistan Air force, Civil Aviation Authority
and Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority in the locations given below:
™ Metrological stations located at Gilgit, Gupis, Skardu, Bunji, Naltar, Rama Astore
and Karimabad
™ River Flow Detectors at Bunji and Danyore
™ Media
 9 CCTV cameras in Ataabad to monitor the landslide dammed lake
9 Radio Pakistan Gilgit
9 Radio Pakistan Skardu
9 Local news papers
9 National and international TV channels
9 Internet plate forms
™ Communication network
9 Emergencies response SMS from GBDMA
9 Telephones
9 Mobile services
™ Intra line departmental Dialogue set communications
9 Police and line agencies for emergencies response
9 Police and Gilgit-Baltistan public works department
™ Indigenous systems
9 Loudspeakers
9 Fire in signals and gun shots
9 Weather predication
9 Seasonal hazards predications
The Gilgit-Baltistan disaster management authority (GBDMA) is a new setup and they are
working on disaster risk management strategies and institutional capacity building. However
recent disasters have been a driving force for the GBDMA to strengthen the existing early
warning and DRM systems in the region. Many organizations are working on the same now,
including the NDMA. The interests of government also include investment in capacity building of
communities in strengthening community based disaster risk management systems but there are
many financial constraints.

What is the level of understanding of Climate Change Adaptation among the people,
policy makers and local governments (Panchayats, municipalities, etc.) and how can
these be enhanced?
The level of understanding regarding the climate change is fair enough and a focus of
discussions these days but the area of adaptation mechanisms and response strategies still
remains a gap in local development plans and policies. It needs to be strengthened considerably
to the level of actions. There is a strong need to enhance understanding of climate risk
management. Following need to be developed for building the same:
• Communication awareness strategy regarding climate change for all stakeholders
• programmes/ projects on climate risk management
• Sustainable development plan for Gilgit-Baltistan, including CRM mitigation strategies
• Seminars for policy makers and communities
• Lobbing and enhanced role of media
• Research on climate change in high altitude areas of the Gilgit-Baltistan
• Community based early warning systems need to be strengthened
• Knowledge net working programmes should be initiated
• Environmental clubs should established involving youth and students
What are the adaptation and risk reduction efforts being taken at the local level to
combat climate change/ climate variability?
Some recorded efforts during field investigations were found as given below:
• Protection of the pastures in some parts of the GB
• Shift in farming pattern and techniques.
 • Planting of new crops which give higher yields
• In some areas there are local level conservation committees for protection of forests and
pastures
• Plantation of seabuck thorn as a soil binder for minimizing soil erosion
• Local Trappe cropping systems in lower Hunza to minimized pest witness and attacks
• Local Soil management techniques in Gudyai and Bubin for better production of crops
and security of food

Mohinder Slariya, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

I am working on such issues in Himachal Himalayas. Brief write up of my study on “Eco-Psycho
Perception of the People regarding the Viability of Micro Hydroelectric Power Projects-A Study of
Chanju basin in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh” is given below:

Over the past decade, the profile of mountains on the global sustainable development agenda
has increased, first with the inclusion of mountains as Chapter 13 entitled "Managing Fragile
Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development"– in Agenda 21 and more recently by the
declaration of 2002 as International Year of Mountains. With these developments, the resources
in mountains are being mostly exploited for energy generation. Energy from mountains in the
form of hydroelectricity and wood has been essential for economic development of the country
concerned as well as for the local economy. Yet often, mountain people gain little from large
energy developments as they have received little compensation for the use of their resources,
and have been sidelined in national energy policies.

In search of better living, to accelerate economic growth and to achieve self-reliance on every
front, man has made considerable intrusions in the name of development in the physical
environment. Developmental activities of all sorts can be traced out since the inception of human
civilization, whose nature, content has been changed over the period and need of time. For the
sake of comforts the mountains, rivers, agricultural land, forests have been disturbed or
reconstituted, which has altered the ecology of the globe and led to a number of considerable
environmental changes and these changes are threatening the lives of living organisms and
posing a question mark on survival. Speaking specifically, the hydroelectric power developmental
projects along with their many positive aspects have also got some negative aspects which are
not taken up in any study or in any developmental project.

Along with other states of India, the developmental activities in Himachal Pradesh were started
after independence in the name of self reliance and “Green Revolution” with the construction of
Pong dam and Bhakhra dam on Beas and Satluj rivers and commissioned in 1962 and 1963
respectively. After these in 1970s, two major cement factories were installed i.e. Cement
Corporation of India (CCI) in Ponta Sahib in Sirmour district and the second was in Barmana in
Bilaspur district installed by Associated Cement Companies (ACC).

In 1980s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation limited (NHPC) has entered in the state and
installed first hydroelectric power project named as Baira Suil Hydroelectric power project of 198
MW. After this, NHPC has taken Chamera series of major dams i.e. Chamera-I, II and III in Ravi
basin. In 1990s another cement factory by Gujarat Ambuja was constructed at Daldaghat in
Solan district. At present, 6 cement factories have been identified and MoUs have been signed for
one factory, which is proposed to be installed in Mandi district. Because of these planned
developmental initiatives over the last 50 years, no doubt the need of the economy has been met
but the lives and livelihood of the people have been affected adversely.
Himachal Pradesh is a mountainous state having about thousand perennial streams which form a
diverse drainage system in the state. It has five perennial rivers of Indus basins i.e. Chenab,
Yamuna, Ravi, Satluj and Beas. Out of these basins Beas, Satluj and Ravi basins contributes more
than 72 % potential capacity out of 25000 MW assessed potential capacity of hydroelectric power
generation in Himachal Pradesh. Power generation in Himachal Pradesh can be divided in two
categories i.e. major/medium power projects, being executed by national and international level
power producers companies. And the second category is of small, mini and micro power projects,
which are being executed by Him Urja.

The state has received maximum number of power projects for execution in both categories i.e.
major as well as small, micro and mini. In the first category there are 115 power projects which
have been either allotted for execution or in DPR or survey stage. In the second category 286
power projects which are either in execution or allotment stage. At present, 33 major and 64
small, mini or micro power projects have been producing 6050 MW electricity in the state. The
massive exploitation of these basins is putting a question mark on the existence of these basins
and lives of thousands of people, who have been living in the vicinity of these basins. To a
greater extent natural route of these rivers have been re-routed and diverted by constructing
tunnels and impounding the natural flow of water, which has been there since ages.

Undoubtedly, so much of developmental activities either executed or proposed have played a

vital role in the development of state’s economy, but these developments are not free of
contradictions. It has brought a considerable change in the existing weather pattern of the state
and environmental concerns of the area.

Out of five river basins of the state, Chenab and Ravi flows in Chamba district. Ravi is a perennial
snow fed river, rises from Bara Bhangal branch of lesser Himalayas in Kangra district and flows
down along with its tributaries travel 728 km journey before entering into Pakistan near Amritsar.
There are 49 small rivulets which can be categorized in 13 sub-basins streams in three main
tributaries of Ravi.

The people of the Chanju sub-basin are very poor and mostly depend on the rivulets/ nallas for
their livelihood, which are the main sources of ecosystem services and these services, are rearing
6000 people of the valley since ages. The water mills, who are serving the people of the valley
are being threaten by the installation of these power projects and putting a question mark on the
livelihood of the people for 67 MW power. This basin has eight perennial small and big rivulets
whose installation capacity has been assessed 80 MW. On these rivulets there are more than 55
water mills that are serving the valley since ages and are the carrier of Hatt and Gharat Culture
of Indian village community and at present rearing more than 6000 people of the valley.

Currently, hydroelectricity is the world's overwhelming renewable energy of choice. According to

the most recent statistics from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2006
hydroelectricity contributed 2,997 billion kilowatt hours of electricity to states around the world
while all other renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar, wind, contributed 414.31
billion kilowatt hours of electricity.

Along with this, the fact remains that livelihood cannot be replaced by compensation. How can
the socio-economic, cultural as well as psychological deprivation be compensated in monetary
terms? The life of affected people particularly, those living in the vicinity of riverbeds/ reservoirs
have been traumatized by this lobbyist pressurized development, which neither is of any worth
for poor people nor justified (WCD (World Commission on Dams), 2006). The profit earned by
the executing agency must be shared and a provision must be there for sharing a considerable
amount of the profit with the local people, as they are the real sufferers of such developmental
initiatives (Roy, 2005).
All these can be included in the Benefit Sharing Model (BSM) proposed by the researcher. This
model advocates the inclusion of LIA (Livelihood Impact assessment), SIA (Social Impact
Assessment), HIA (Health Impact Assessment) along with EIA in RR (Resettlement and
Rehabilitation) plan, so that the prevailing conflict in any developmental initiative/ project can be
solved. This model advocates the inclusion of the approach dominated by the principle:
Development should be for Man and Man should not be for Development. This needs only proper
and honest preparation of TEFR (Techno-Economic Feasibility Report) and its inclusion in the RR
plan. The RR plan should be prepared by involving all the stakeholders and must be rehabilitated
not in theory, but in practical as per the schedule IV notification and after execution, some
portion of income must be used for their welfare because they have sacrificed everything
(Slariya, 2008).

Arvind Kumar Sinha, Regional Climate Risk Reduction Project, UNDP BCPR South and
South West Asia, New Delhi
We are in process of discussing very pertinent issue of climate change and perception of the
community. I am sharing some of the views of the community about the understanding of
climate change. It may not have the documents and research paper by the academic institution
for establishing the relationship with climate change and visual impacts, but community has
perceived it. I am trying to answer the 2nd bullet from the set of questions. We say the level of
understanding about climate change at the community level. It is visualized in the following
ways:

• Decrease in rainfall, shorter span of rainy season, untimely and unseasonal rain and
shifting of geographical location of rain fall which has caused a major disaster in Kinnaur
district of Himachal Pradesh in India. It is known as cold desert and receives very less
rain for shorter period of rainfall. It received a lot of rain this year for extended period
and it has impacted badly on the topography. District headquarter of Kinnaur has
developed lots of cracks in the land mass and buildings. Communities see it as an impact
of climate change, which has brought more rain to this cold desert and it has resulted in
sinking of Rekang Peo. Scientific study is being commissioned to understand the facts.
• Community also relates it with the diminishing of crops and livelihood options. Few years
ago, Sonali village in Chamoli district was having very good amount of oranges and other
citrus fruits as one of the sources of food. Its production went down year by year and
now it is not available in the village. It is also perceived by the community that its
production reduced and diminished due to climate change.
• Community also perceives that behavior of wild life has also changed in recent past due
to climate change. Most of the districts in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been
experiencing the attack of wild life on the crops. It has been perceived that there is not
much forest produce available in the forest for wild animals to eat. Wild life is now
attracted towards the agriculture produce. Crops are being ruined by monkeys and bears
to a large extent. It is also related to climate change as perceived by the community.
Forest cover is reduced and it is inviting the wild life to invade in the human settlements.
If the trends continue, it would create food insecurity in the mountains. However, no
fund is available to address the issue of climate related problems, so panchayat has very
less understanding about climate change and its variability. Government development
programmes and policies do not include issues related to climate change.

There is an urgent need to enhance the knowledge, information and skill among local
communities, Panchayats and government agencies on climate change. Following strategies to be
adopted to enhance understanding about climate related issues:
 • Engage different scientific and research institutions in developing people centric
awareness strategies on climate change adaptation for common people.
• Establish and strengthen the institutional mechanism to develop different innovative
knowledge products on climate related issues to impart knowledge to government
institutions and panchayats.
• Develop and impart training courses on climate change to policy makers and orientation
for executives in government organizations.
• Create and enabling environment at home, public and work place by writing slogans,
instructions and using eco friendly materials at work.
• Inclusion of climate related issues and knowledge in the curriculum of schools and
colleges.

I would like to share one initiative for water conservation measures in Kangra district of Himachal
Pradesh. There are several processes that have been adopted to conserve water in traditional
ways. Communities are using lots of traditional methods and structures for conserving and
harnessing water in the mountains. Khatri is a kind of percolation tank, which is dug in the
mountains. It has dimension of 10’x10’x10’ and could be more depending upon the space
available. It requires special skill to dig and select the place for kharti. Community in Kagra
district is using this structure for storage of water from the mountain top, which percolates down
in the Khatri. Community was using stored water for their house hold work and drinking purpose.
Kangra has very different distribution of rain. Few places in Kagra are known as changer (It is
local name, meaning desert). Most of the Khatri are present in this changer location. People have
started realizing the change in rainfall in this area. It has also begun impacting agriculture and
vegetable produce of this area.

Community thought about some value addition in the process of harnessing water from Khatri for
sustaining their agriculture produce, unfortunately, Kharti does not store that much water so that
larger agriculture produced could be sustained. Consequently the Community took a mid path by
developing some kitchen garden in their home to grow some vegetable with help of little water
from Kharti. It was very helpful for fulfilling their daily needs of vegetables for a family of 5
members. It could be considered as one of the examples of adaptation in context of climate
change and change in rainfall pattern.

Amber Masud, UNDP, Pakistan

What are the present Early Warning Systems being used for tackling climate change/climate
variability?

There isn’t any specific early warning system in the Gilgit Baltistan region within the government
system. Early warnings mostly originate from met office which has limited stations in the GB
region and the warning is communicated to locals through District Commissioner’s (DC) office.
However the indigenous observation, monitoring and dissemination system adopted by local
communities is quite good although it needs further improvements. Hazard vulnerability
assessment and hazard zonation has not been done for any of the districts in the region except
for Gilgit which was recently completed under the RCRRP. This is one of the areas identified by
the northern areas government where they require support and assistance. They believe multi-
hazard zonation will enable the government authorities to warn vulnerable communities in
advance of a likely disaster. The population in the Gilgit- Baltistan region is ethnically divided in
three main groups (Shia, Suni and Ismaili) and spread over the seven districts. The communities
have rights of the land holdings in their villages and surrounding pastures. Therefore they do not
want to relocate incase they are forewarned and this issue is one of the most challenging. This
had been the case in Attabad landslide disaster, where slope failure was predicted much in
advance but government authorities were unable to evacuate people because of their reluctance.

Community Based Early Warning System

Gilgit Baltistan region is susceptible to a number of natural hazards; however detailed information
is missing, even at the government level. The hazards put at risk not only infrastructure,
services, environment and livelihoods but also lives. The vulnerabilities of the community are
further augmented by poverty, extreme pressure on resources and almost non-existing coping
capacities. However mountain communities are an excellent example of unity and volunteerism.
Communities have a system of observing various natural changes followed by prediction of
hazardous events, and it is most certainly better then what the government authorities have to
offer.

They observe precipitation and temperature changes and warn people about likely disasters by
various means. The warning mechanism is different in different areas e.g. lighting torches at
night, gun fires, announcements in mosques, by going around in village, beating the drums and
now by telecommunications means. In the Ismailia community areas, village level councils exist.
The council has recruited community volunteers and scouts to observe and inform the volunteer
captain about unusual changes e.g. color and load of streams and rivers before flash floods,
floods and GLOFs. People tend to be more vigilant in March, April, July and August because most
of the disaster events occur during these periods. This indigenous warning system has been
developed by communities, based on their knowledge and experience. The system has evolved
with time but it still needs refinement.

It has also been observed that the communities are well aware of mitigation strategies such as
relocation, plantation or check damn construction. However they can not initiate mitigation work
on their own because of lack of resources. It would be best to work with the local communities in
improving their indigenous Early Warning Systems. However a communication link should be
established between the government and communities so that it is possible for the government
to provide timely assistance.

Establishing and improving multi-hazard early warning system (EWS) for timely warnings has
been identified as a priority in the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF-2007).
However, Government lacks financial and technical resources to have advanced early warning
systems placed in the region. The NDMA has been striving to build technical capacities of
relevant institutions such as Pakistan Meteorological Department, Federal Flood Commission
(FFC), Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), and Ministry of Health (MOH) in this regard. It has
also provided necessary equipment in some areas e.g. for cyclone EW in the coastal areas.
Nonetheless it is going to take a considerable time to achieve the desired goal.

What is the level of understanding of Climate Change Adaptation among the people, policy
makers and local governments (Panchayats, municipalities, etc.) and how can these be
enhanced?

The level of understanding of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) has increased many folds in the
last few years but a lot of work still needs to be done on the various levels, including policy and
advocacy. There is a strong need for enhancing understanding of CCA & DRM through various
education and awareness programmes, among the decision makers and vulnerable communities.

What are the adaptation and risk reduction efforts being taken at the local level to combat
climate change/ climate variability?
Local communities have been naturally adapting to various changes resulting from climate
variability and change. They have been changing their agricultural practices according to
temperature and precipitation regimes. For example, in many areas people have abandoned
cultivation of barely and maize and shifted to wheat and potato plantation. Similarly people
construct their houses using indigenous materials and techniques to accommodate temperature
and precipitation changes. Risk reduction measures are evolving with time and changing weather
and climate but local communities still need support and assistance of government authorities
and other major stakeholders for augmenting the same.

J.P.Maithani, Alaknanda Ghaati Shilpi Federation (AAGAAS FEDERATION)

Pipalkoti,Chamoli, Uttarakhand
We are experiencing Climate Change/Global warming in the Himalayas. We have noticed the
following changes:
The Citrus fruit belt which was earlier in between the altitude of 900 m to 1450 have shifted
upwards upto 1700 to 1850 m because earlier the Citrus fruit belt was giving very good yield up
to 1998 and nowadays the production of the Citrus plants have decreased rapidly. The plants at
this altitude are dying or mortality of the plant has increased, fruit size decreased.
On the other hand the Apple orchards which were in between the altitude of 1650 to 1950 m are
not fruiting well and mortality is increasing. We observed that there is a shift of Horticulture crop
altitude wise. It reflects that the temperature and climate is related to plant life cycle and habitat.
If we are growing Guava, Mango, on the farm of Citrus fruits they are growing well (at the Citrus
fruit altitude) On the other hand the Citrus fruit belt has shifted towards Apple fruit belt which is
a clear indication of rising temperature in Uttarakhand Himalayas.
We transplanted few of the Bamboo spp. and Arjuna terminalia plant at the altitude of 1259 m.
though these plants were not suitable for this altitude as they generally grow at the altitude of
upto 700 m only. But I personally observed in our Biotourism Park at Pipalkoti Chamoli that these
plants though are not the native of the region but in last in three years I have seen a significant
growth in these plants. This proves that there is an inter-relation of temperature with the living
organism and their Habitat.
Further, the snow line has shifted upwards and the frequency of snow fall is decreasing.
The early flowering in wild and horticulture crops such as Rhododendron, Peach, Plum, and
Apricot are also indicators of climate change in our region.

We have developed a small center in Pipalkoti Chamoli, Uttarakhand for keeping such records,
incidence, indicators etc.

K N Vajpai, Climate Himalaya Initiative, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

The vision of India’s National Disaster Management Authority-NDMA
http://ndma.gov.in/ndma/index.htm is ‘to build a safer and disaster resilient India by developing
a holistic, pro-active, multi-disaster and technology-driven strategy for disaster management
through collective efforts of all Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations’.
Sometimes one wonders on the disaster preparedness of our national level authority and its
actions on the ground, which clearly reflects that, it is no more than the conglomeration of
erstwhile administrators. For example, since the enactment of National Disaster Management Act,
2005, and ratification of state Act by Uttarakhand Government for State Disaster Management
Authority, the authorities never met.

The floods in North India during September 2010, clearly indicated that the Government of India
was unprepared (http://bit.ly/9uQ5R5) to control the situation in affected states like Uttarakhand,
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Haryana. Here more than 3 million people were affected due to
floods, that washed away their homes, damaged crops by ravaging 5,00,000 hectares of farm
land in Uttar Pradesh alone. In Uttarakhand about 200 people were killed. The UNICEF estimated
that 1.7 million people were affected in Uttar Pradesh and 1 million in Bihar. The flood situation
was that, the harnessing of rivers through construction of dams did not help, as claimed
generally by Hydro-power authorities in the Himalayan region.

Similarly, the cloudburst, which led to flash floods and mudslides, claimed about 180 lives and
injured about 400 people, besides causing widespread damage to public and private property in
Leh region ( http://bit.ly/gnDYpe ).

On this situation, one of India's News daily writes that, “Politicians and educationists talk about
relevant and appropriate local knowledge, but there is no evidence of it in what happens in our
universities and research institutions. A modern society needs to constantly update its knowledge
and information. It is part of the preparedness of a government” (http://bit.ly/9uQ5R5 ).

The India Meteorology Department (IMD) in September 2010 launched a major project on
Integrated Forecasting and Communication System given the critical situation in Leh and
Uttarakhand to understand the complex phenomena of meteorological disasters. It was claimed
that the dynamic weather prediction models using super computers and very highly sophisticated
software will start giving more and more accurate data on various meteorological hazards like
drought, heat waves, monsoon, floods, thunderstorms, or tropical cyclone. The government of
India took it as one of our priorities and Rs 1000 crore programme was sanctioned by Planning
Commission in 2007. It included setting up of automatic weather stations, Doppler radars,
connecting them with most high speed digital interconnecting systems and network as well as
buying super computers for numerical weather prediction etc.

The challenge here is that, how the scientific data is efficiently, timely and effectively
communicated to the local communities in disaster like situations. In the mountains, one needs to
understand the topographical barriers, availability of communication channels and electricity. As
an example during floods in Uttarakhand, people were completely disconnected for weeks from
any type of communication means due to no electricity, and there was no food supply, while the
tourists visiting the region remained stranded in places due to major land slides along the road
network.

There is an urgent need to look at the following aspects:

• Reviewing the preparedness of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
generally headed by the District Magistrate and the preparation process of District
Disaster Response Plan (DDRP) in each district of the mountain region.
• Review the linkages between District Planning Committee and District Environment
Committee in lieu of coordination and planning with DDMA.
• Reviewing the effectiveness of communication between NDMA and State level Disaster
Management Authorities.
• Implementation of DDRP, mock drills and availability of staff as per state provisions and
central guidelines.
• The implementation of plan for identification of high risk areas in the region and
availability of all relevant information at one place for policy and planning purposes.
• The status of training to the local community on various disaster related issues and
inclusiveness in such efforts.
• Review the effectiveness of communication channels during disaster like situation and
preparedness of DDMA.
• Availability of resources (human and financial) with state and DDMA and Urban local
bodies.
 • Reviewing the JNNURM and other Urban Development plans in view of disaster
preparedness with regard to water, waste, sanitation, flood, etc.
• The provisions for Dam Break Analysis in mountainous regions of India, where in
situation like cloud burst and flash floods, the authorities have appropriate disaster
management plans in place.
• The efforts towards awareness building and knowledge sharing by various entrusted
departments in a state and districts and support by national level agencies.

Aditi Umrao, UNDP, New Delhi

The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is one of the most complex, dynamic, and intensive risk
hotspots with earthquakes, floods, flash floods and landslides as the main hazards. This is due to
the physical and socio-economic characteristics of the Himalayan region combined with the
changing risk factors such as environmental and climate change, population growth, and
economic globalization.

The effect of global warming on weather patterns may be responsible for an apparent increase in
the frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters in Himalayan region. The frequency of
disasters has increased manifold in last few decades. There is a clear indication that not only the
frequency of such hazards is increasing with time but also their intensity and impact on the lives
and livelihood of people, living in the area, is increasing. The vulnerability of people gets
increased as rescue or support operation requires more time and resources to reach to the
community living in that area during disaster.

There is a need to develop a comprehensive policy where local community is a part of the policy
development process. Over a period of time nature of disasters have changed so capacity
development of community for managing varying disasters & sustainable development in the
region may be given high priority.

Many thanks to all who contributed to this query!

If you have further information to share on this topic, please send it to Solution Exchange for the
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the Hindu Kush Himalayas - Experiences, Examples. Additional Reply.”

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