Abstract
A study was conducted in nine different topographical locations of Kashmir valley to know the perception of the farmers about climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies adopted by the farmers were also documented over a specified period viz., 1980-2019. Results from the observed data revealed warming trends in all seasons, however, winter and spring season temperatures have shown statistically significant increasing trends at the rate of 0.040C/year. Analysis of seasonal and annual precipitation data shows a decreasing trend at the rate of -4.5 mm/ year. The farmers in the study areas had perceived that the climate has changed for the last four decades. Increasing temperature, frequent droughts and less snowfall were the main visual parameters experienced by the farmers. About 30-35% of the farmers have adopted different strategies by default to mitigate ill effects of climate change. However, the majority of the farmers (70%) have not adopted any strategy to cope up with the impacts of climate change. Farmers (>90%) have stressed on provision for an early warning system, timely supply of inputs, provision of financial support and nutrients for soil enrichment as viable options to combat the ill effects of climate change.
Highlights
Warming due to climate change is a reality as evident from the significant increase in the CO2 concentration (412.55 ppm as of August 2020) which has caused most of the warming and has contributed the most to climate change (NOAA, 2020)
Jammu & Kashmir which constitutes an important part of the Great Himalayan range is witnessing a significant influence of climate change on local weather in the form of shrinking and reducing glaciers, devastating floods, decreasing winter duration, and precipitation coupled with extended summer duration and elevated temperatures (Khan et al, 2019; Murtaza et al, 2017)
Feedback received from the farmers was analysed and the strategies they have adopted against the climate change impacts
Summary
Warming due to climate change is a reality as evident from the significant increase in the CO2 concentration (412.55 ppm as of August 2020) which has caused most of the warming and has contributed the most to climate change (NOAA, 2020). Rise in temperatures have been perceived by the farmers of the country (Hussain et al, 2013), which is largely on account of GHG-induced warming, partially offset by forcing due to anthropogenic aerosols and changes in land use (Krishnan et al.,2020). Various studies suggest that most glaciers in the North Himalayan including Kashmir Himalayas (Kolahoi Peak: 5425 m; Harmukh Peak: 5143 m) and Amarnath Peak: 5186 m) has reduced in mass and volume due to climate change (Romshoo et al, 2015; Wester et al, 2019). Jammu & Kashmir which constitutes an important part of the Great Himalayan range is witnessing a significant influence of climate change on local weather in the form of shrinking and reducing glaciers, devastating floods, decreasing winter duration, and precipitation coupled with extended summer duration and elevated temperatures (Khan et al, 2019; Murtaza et al, 2017). The impacts of climate change are likely to affect several other sectors like irrigated agriculture, horticulture, and
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