Melson Shrestha
kathmandu: Nepal, a landlocked country in South Asia, is characterised by tremendous geographic diversity that ranges from alluvial plains in the tropical lowlands in the south to very rugged and permanently snow and ice-covered Himalayan Mountains in the north. Within a few hundred kilometres, the country’s elevation changes from the 70m low in the Terai (lowlands) to the top of Mount Everest (8,848m).
This varied topography results in a wide range of climates and ecosystems, making Nepal rich in biodiversity. A total of 118 ecosystems have been identified in the country. The country occupies about 0.1 per cent of the global area but harbours 3.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent of the world’s known flora and fauna, respectively.
The country is also rich in the diversity of agricultural crops, their wild relatives, and domestic animal species and varieties. Over 550 species of crops and 200 species of vegetables are found in the country ( (MoF, 2014).
Nepal is ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, the country is ranked 12 out of 180 countries (Eckstein, Künzel, & Schäfer, 2021). The annual temperature in Nepal is increasing yearly. Studies have shown that the mean annual temperature of Nepal has been rising by 0.06 °C/year (Adhikar & Mathema, 2023).
Whereas it has been projected that the ratio will increase even more in the next decades . The temperature is projected to increase by 0.92–1.070C in the period between 2016 to 2045. Likewise, annual precipitation is expected to increase in the period by 2–6 percent and winters are projected to be drier and monsoon summers wetter, with up to a threefold increase in rainfall (The World Bank Group, 2022).
Nepal is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its high dependence on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, glaciers and forestry, and its low financial adaptive capacity and lack of adequate funds for adaptation. It is observed that climate change impacts largely on agriculture, livelihoods, tourism, hydroelectricity and the economy.
Similarly, climate change has caused huge climate-induced disasters such as landslides, floods, droughts and epidemics. A projection from the Asian Development Bank in 2021 anticipated that Nepal’s annual GDP will incur a loss of 2.2% by 2050 due to the impacts of climate change.
The majority of Nepalese people’s source of livelihood, employing 57 % of the country’s workforce is agriculture which relies strongly on the monsoon systems and indications are strong that the monsoon pattern especially rainfall timing, frequency, duration and intensity may be altered due to climate change (NPHC, 2021). Only 40% of the cultivated area in Nepal has access to year-round irrigation facilities; the rest rely on rainfall (NSO, 2023a, 2023b), and the unpredictable weather patterns are affecting the production of staple crops (Lohani, 2007; Mala, 2008; Regmi, 2007; Urothody, 2010).
Further, the livelihoods of rural communities have been greatly affected by changes in weather patterns, which have caused resource degradation, food scarcity, lack of essential services, and increasing social inequalities, compounding existing poverty and increasing inequity for those who are already vulnerable and excluded, with a lack of predictions of additional risks to livelihoods (Gentle & Maraseni, 2012).
The country is also susceptible to land degradation, and air and water pollution. It is prone to several forms of land degradation, such as floods, landslides, and soil erosion. It is estimated that 1.7 mm of topsoil is lost each year in Nepal due to soil erosion, but it takes almost 100 years to form 1 cm of soil (Chalise, Kumar, & Kristiansen, 2019). Human-induced activities such as overgrazing, unsustainable farming, excessive use of hazardous chemical fertilisers and pesticides, road constructions and deforestation have resulted in the loss of topsoil, landslides and biodiversity.
The landslides and soil erosion processes occurring in hilly regions cause damage to peoples’ lives and property, and runoff water from the hills may contribute to flooding in the plains. Similarly, industrial discharge, vehicle emissions, and improper waste management practices have contributed significantly to air and water pollution. Although Nepal is rich in water resources, there are issues related to water quality and accessibility.
Nepal has made significant strides in formulating policies and implementing programs aimed at environmental conservation and sustainable development. Some key initiatives include the development of the Environment Protection Act (EPA) (1997), Climate Change Policy (2019), Forest Act (2019) and Renewable Energy Policies. Nevertheless, the effective enforcement of the laws and implementation of policies and programs are missing.
Similarly, there is limited funding for large-scale environmental, resilient livelihoods and climate change adaptation projects. Similarly, there is also a need for greater public awareness, participation, research, and innovation in environmental conservation efforts. The following are some of the key measures that could be promoted in the country to reduce the impacts of climate change and promote resilience in communities.
a. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Promote crop varieties that are resistant to drought, flood, and other climate-related stresses. Implement sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and water-efficient irrigation systems.
b. Water Resource Management: Develop and maintain water storage systems like ponds, tanks, and reservoirs. Improve watershed management and promote rainwater harvesting to address water scarcity.
c. Disaster Risk Reduction: Enhance early warning systems and disaster preparedness plans, especially in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. Strengthen community-based disaster management practices.
d. Renewable Energy: Expand the use of renewable energy sources like hydropower, solar, and wind energy. Promote energy efficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
e. Sustainable Transport: Encourage the use of public transport, cycling, and walking. Invest in electric vehicles and improve fuel efficiency standards.
f. Climate-Sensitive Policies: Develop and implement national and local policies that integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation. This includes revising agricultural, water, and energy policies to reflect climate considerations.
g. Capacity Building: Strengthen institutional capacity at all levels to address climate change challenges. Provide training and resources to government officials, NGOs, and communities.
h. International Cooperation: Engage in global and regional climate change initiatives and secure funding and technical support through mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
i. Awareness Campaigns: Raise public awareness about climate change impacts and the importance of adaptation and mitigation strategies. Use media, schools, and community organizations to spread information.
j. Local Empowerment: Empower local communities to take action by involving them in decision-making processes and supporting community-led adaptation initiatives.
k. Traditional Knowledge: Incorporate indigenous knowledge and practices in climate adaptation strategies, recognizing the valuable role of local knowledge in resource management.
l. Climate Research: Invest in research to better understand climate change impacts on Nepal’s ecosystems, agriculture, water resources, and public health. Use research findings to inform policy and practice.
m. Climate Financing: Mobilize national and international financial resources to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. Encourage public-private partnerships and community-based funding models.
n. Insurance Schemes: Develop and promote climate risk insurance schemes to protect farmers, businesses, and communities from the financial impacts of climate-related disasters.
o. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation: Protect and restore ecosystems that provide natural buffers against climate impacts, such as wetlands, forests, and river systems. Integrate biodiversity conservation into climate adaptation planning.
p. Sustainable Land Management: Implement practices that reduce land degradation and desertification, thereby maintaining ecosystem services and agricultural productivity.
Implementing these strategies will require coordinated efforts among the government, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. It will also involve addressing the socio-economic inequalities that exacerbate vulnerability to climate change in Nepal.
References
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