South Asian Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SARJHSS)
Volume-1 | Issue-4
Original Research Article
Climate Change Impacts and Local Adaptation Strategies at Chitlang, Makwanpur, Nepal
Garima Sharma, Deepak Gautam, Catherine Mhae B. Jandug, Suman Bhattarai, DhrubaBijaya G. C, Keshab Baral, Bikram Manandhar, Rajesh Sigdel
Published : Dec. 30, 2019
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most serious threats to natural resources and livelihoods. Key informant interview (n=3), focus group discussion (n=3) and household survey (n=60) were undertaken to access the impacts of climate change on livelihood, local people's perception of climate change and the local adaptation measures used by the people. Meteorological data from 1981 to 2010 were used to analyze climatic trends. The meteorological data shows annual maximum and minimum temperature is in increasing trend whereas annual rainfall is erratic in nature. The study revealed that the major threats prevailing in the study area were drought, storm, thunder and lightning, pest attack on crops and outbreak of disease. Decreased agricultural production, shortage of water, increased livestock disease and forest fires were the problems faced. Although the majority of people were not aware of the climate change and its adaptation strategies, they have been traditionally practicing adaptation strategies like change in cropping pattern, change in crop varieties, use of more organic fertilizer, supplemental irrigation, rainwater harvesting, improving livestock shed and ponds, removal of invasive species, etc.