31 Global changes and sustainable development in the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya

Abstract

Abstract The Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalayan (HKKH) region, stretching 3500 km over eight countries, from Afghanistan in the west to Mynamar in the east, is home to more than 150 million people and affects the lives of three times as many in the plains and river basins below. The region is not only the world's highest mountain region, but also its most populous. The wealth of the HKKH lies in an immense diversity of flora and fauna, as well as ethnic groups and languages. It is also an important source of water, energy, and biological diversity. Yet despite this rich diversity, in reality, the HKKH regions are exceedingly fragile. Each day, climate change, pollution, as well as exploitative mining and unsound agriculture practices, take a toll on mountain environments and the most vulnerable to these changes are the inhabitants of this region. Already, they are among the world's poorest, hungriest and most marginalized people. Sustainable development of these mountain regions is a challenging task because these areas have highly diverse and fragile ecosystems. The HKKH region is geologically the youngest mountain range giving rise to a high degree of natural hazards. Specific information on ecology, natural resource potential, and socio-economic activities is essential for sustainable development of this region. There is, however, a lack of sufficient knowledge of mountain ecosystems for the reasons of understanding of mountain specificities, the effort of International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been to establish itself as a hub for mountain-specific knowledge, which will help in sustainable development. Among several programs ICIMOD is contributing to two important programs related to climate change: (1) glaciers and glacial lakes; and (2) trans-boundary air pollution. Glaciers and glacial lakes are the repositories of information for exploring Quaternary climate changes, as they remain sensitive to global temperature conditions. Rising temperature trends with climate change are much more pronounced in the higher altitudes causing the net shrinkage and retreat of glaciers, and the increase in size and number of glacial lakes. A number of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have been reported in the region in the last few decades and many potential threats of more GLOF in the HKKH region have been identified, which may pose high death tolls in downstream populations, as well as destruction of property and infrastructure. Though mountains are often associated with clean air, they can receive contamination due to transport of pollution by winds. The Male Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air Pollution and its likely Trans-boundary Effects for South Asia, and Project Atmospheric Brown Cloud (ABC) seek to find the nature of transport of pollution for informed decision-making to tackle trans-boundary air pollution through regional cooperation. Initial study has shown that aerosols have led to a large reduction of surface solar radiation during winter. This may affect agriculture, health, and the hydrological cycle; eventually contribute to climate change.