Sectoral and Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Risk in Indian Himalaya: A Case Study of Almora District of Uttarakhand

Abstract

Climate change impacts the society by aggravating related hazards. India, due to its varied geographical and climatic attributes and diverse socio-economic reasons, faces almost all kinds of disasters distantly or closely related to change in climates. Regions of Indian Himalaya, especially in Uttarakhand, are known to suffer the brunt of climate or water related disasters very frequently e.g. 2013’s devastating flash flood at Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. India is a signatory of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and has hosted the 7 th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) and organized its 2nd National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) during recent years (2015, 2016). These policy regimes advocate climate resilient development through policy planning and grassroots implementation of programmes. Objective of this study is to analyze climatic data projections and risks with regard to extreme events in Almora District, Uttarakhand, India, through learning sectoral and livelihood vulnerabilities of this region. Methodology involved policy and vulnerability analysis through structured and semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and shared learning, with key line Departments and key stakeholders. Study revealed a range of precipitation and temperature level changes and linkages with increase in disaster related losses and damages. Key Sectoral Vulnerabilities & livelihood challenges have been identified in the Almora District. Paper suggests a policy analysis framework and integration of climate resilience and disaster management into development paradigms through plans, policies and processes of key sectors and departments.