Impact of Climate Change on Life and Livelihood of Indigenous People of Higher Himalaya in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Increase in average temperatures and abrupt changes in the precipitation regime are perceived to take place in the region by most people. Duration, amount and form of atmospheric precipitation is reported to have changed significantly. Even during winters the people of the region are increasingly getting overwhelmed with liquid precipitation rather than solid precipitation that was traditionally recived in the form of snow. This is perceived to be responsible for reduced duration of snow in the region. This is held responsible for reduced water availability in the region and people have already started to face scarcity of water. Most people of the region at the same time agree that there are changes in the timing of flowering and fruiting of plants. Productivity of the agricultural fields is also reported to have decreased. Increased incidences of pest infestations and animal attacks are also reported from the region. These have forced the inhabitants to introduce many changes in their traditional life support pursuits. Of these some are identified as being part of the coping strategy of the people of the region that is witnessing climate induced changes at an alarming rate. These are required to be studied, documented, researched and improvised with appropriate inputs from formal science and technology so as to make these viable and acceptable to the masses.