Paper Number: 1553
Impact of climate change on livelihood of Central Himalayan communities
Negi M. S.1, Naithani B. P.1 and Sati S. P.2
1 Department of Geography, HNB Garhwal University, (A Central University)
Srinagar Garhwal Uttarakhand India
2Department of Geology, HNB Garhwal University (A Central University)
Srinagar Garhwal Uttarakhand India
Mountains like the Himalaya are unique areas in terms of detecting climate change and for assessing climate-related impacts because in the existing system changes occur rapidly with height over relatively short horizontal distances; as do the vegetation and hydrology (Whiteman 2000). Central part of the Himalaya is one of the most densely populated regions of the Himalaya. Animal husbandry and farming are the most common occupations of the communities residing here in addition to forest resources. It has been observed for the past few decades that the changes in climatic regime with enhanced frequency of extreme climatic events have put severe impact on the natural resources of the region viz. a viz. livelihood of the people. The availability of water, change in the vegetation pattern and health of the soil are the sectors most severely affected.
Present is an attempt to analyze the impacts of change in climatic pattern in the central Himalaya on livelihood of the region. The paper also highlights the need of a paradigm shift in the livelihood pattern of the people residing in the region.
References:
[1] Whiteman, C. D. (2014) Mountain Meteorology (2000) Oxford University Press 379pp.