water crisis and anticipatory actions in the Himalayan region

Details

Full Title
FS 3.155: Adapting to the Water Crisis in the Himalayan Region: Sectoral Implications and Anticipatory Actions
Scheduled
TBA
Location
TBA
Convener
Santosh Nepal
Co-Conveners
Amina Maharjan,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Adaptation, Cryo- & Hydrosphere, Equality, Sustainable Development, Water Resources
Keywords
water crisis, Himalayan region, Anticipatory action, adaptation, Limit to adaptation

Description

The Himalayan region, known as the “water tower of Asia,” is facing an escalating water crisis due to climate change, glacier retreat, erratic precipitation, and growing human pressures. Accelerated glacier melting and reduced snowfall threaten mountain communities and downstream sectors reliant on meltwater, such as agriculture, energy, tourism, and health. This session will examine how water shortages and variability disrupt ecosystems, economies, and regional stability, emphasizing the need for anticipatory actions to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. The session will showcase case studies and evidence from the Himalayas, highlighting innovative strategies like integrated water resource management, ecosystem-based approaches, and community-led initiatives. Participants will explore the role of early warning systems, scenario planning, and cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing the challenges of water governance in mountainous regions. Special attention will focus on vulnerable populations, including women, indigenous communities, and subsistence farmers, who are disproportionately affected by water insecurity. By fostering dialogue on actionable solutions and sustainable policy frameworks, the session aims to promote resilience and adaptation in the Himalayan region. It will also emphasize the urgency of proactive measures to tackle the growing challenges of water insecurity in one of the world’s most climate-sensitive regions. Lastly, it will also explore when the crisis is chronic leading to limits to adaptation.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.8876

Drying Natural Springs in Hindu Kush Himalaya and its Implication for Water, Food and Livelihood Security in Mountains and Densely Populated Lowlands under Climate Change

Prakash Chandra Tiwari

Abstract/Description

Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) which constitutes headwater of South Asia experienced rapid changes in traditional resource use structure in response to population dynamics, rapid urbanization and growing tourism over past decades. This disrupted hydrological regime of Himalayan watersheds through reduced groundwater recharge and decreased water-generating capacity of land. As a result, natural springs which constitute main source of water for drinking, sanitation and irrigation depleted steadily. Moreover, climate change has stressed the Himalayan hydrological system through rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and increasing frequency of heavy rainfall events and droughts. Consequently, availability of water declined and Himalaya is emerging as a hotspot of looming water scarcity. These hydrological disruptions are not only increasing proportion of water, food and livelihood-insecure population in mountains, but also undermining sustainability of farming and food system in densely populated lowlands of South Asia. Study assessed impact of diminishing springs on water, food and livelihood security with case illustration of Kumaon Himalaya and its lowland in India, and employed field observations, monitoring, mapping and community-interactions methods to analyze various research parameters. Study observed 41% springs dried diminishing spring and stream discharge by 15% over past three decades. Consequently, the region turned into a water-scarce area with per capita water availability ranging between 500 and 1000 Meter3/Person/Year. This reduced availability of water for drinking and sanitation (11%) and decreased irrigation potential (15%). Consequently, agricultural productivity declined (25%) leading to 65% food deficit undermining food security of 75% population mainly consisting of the poor and other weaker segments of rural population. Furthermore, rural livelihood opportunities in traditional agricultural sectors declined by 24% restricting community access to food. Moreover, availability of water for domestic and irrigation decreased respectively by 7% and 11% decreasing food production by 21% in adjoining lowlands. It is therefore highly imperative to analyse environmental status of springs, and conceptualize and implement community-centric and participatory springshed management approaches for the replenishment and regeneration of springs for the socio-ecological sustainability of the highland-lowland ecosystem under climate change.

ID: 3.10835

Enhancing water resilient in HKH: Climate resilient technologies for climate adaptation

Rajendra Dhakal
Bhatta, Kailash; Basnet, Sunayana

Abstract/Description

Hindu Kush Himalayan region (HKH) which is home to 230 million people, providing water to one fourths world population is facing increasing water crisis due to climate change such as reduced snowfall, erratic rainfall, and glacial retreat. These activities threaten rain-fed agriculture, which covers 80% of global arable land. This study synthesizes data and findings from different studies conducted by the ICIMOD in HKH regions to evaluate climate-resilient agricultural technologies that combat water crises. The key solutions are biological mulches, soil cement tanks, drought-resistant crops (e.g., Millets), renewable energy-linked systems, and rainwater harvesting. The research showed that, the soil cement tanks is sustainable and inclusive solution for storing rain and snow melt water for irrigation during the dry season. Biological mulches (straw, compost) reduced evaporation by 35%, moderated soil temperature, and increased microbial activity. Drought-resistant crops such as millet’s, and other indigenous crops increased food security despite erratic rainfall and droughts. Although these solutions are effective but faces implementation challenges. Such as soil cement tanks are durable and gender-neutral (saving women’s labor) but high upfront costs (~USD 160) which limits its scalability. Bio-mulches having different decomposition rates, can result in nitrogen immobilization. Additionally, socioeconomic inequality limits technology adoption, with affluent households being more likely to take up adaptations. Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach from government and community. Policy should be focused on implementing Integrated Water Resource management (IWRM) frameworks, encouraging climate resilient technology though targeted incentives, and facilitate public–private partnerships for innovation and infrastructure development. Building communities capacity along with digital monitoring systems for real-time resource management is also crucial. Future research should explore integrating these technologies with other relevant climate-resilient technologies and adapting them to specific mountain ecosystems. A multi-faceted approach combining water storage, agro-ecological management, and policy intervention can mitigate mountain water crises.

ID: 3.11980

Climate crisis and human security concerns in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region: interconnected risks, intersectionality, and compounding vulnerability

Amina Maharjan
Serizawa, Tomokazu; Mishra, Arabinda; Okano, Naoyuki

Abstract/Description

As climate change accelerates, impacting every region and sector, there is growing apprehension about its potential to exacerbate many of the current social, economic, and environmental challenges and threats already being faced. Climate change can contribute to instability, lead to displacement and migration, worsen food production and access, and affect energy supply and the livelihoods of entire communities and regions. In the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, climate-related risks to food, water, and livelihoods are already affecting mountain communities, and in many cases forcing people to migrate. The women, children and the elderly are often disproportionately impacted by climate risks. Cascading natural hazards from climate impacts are likely to drive out-migration further and threaten urban settlements in the hills as well as plains. To better understand the challenges that mountain communities face, should the existing adaptation gaps continues to grow, national consultations were held in Nepal, India, and Pakistan. The objective of the consultations was to understand the interconnectedness of climate risks, intersectionality, and how this leads to compounding vulnerability to climate risks. The discussions focused on the interconnection of food insecurity, energy insecurity, livelihood insecurity, and mobility in the HKH region. Through identification of these interconnected risks which are further exacerbated by existing vulnerabilities, the consultations showed how climate vulnerabilities get compounded resulting in socio-economic instability and governance challenges in the region.

ID: 3.12259

Rural livelihood challenges amidst climate change: A case study of rural farming communities in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal

Binaya Pasakhala
Sedhain, Sauharda Bikram; KC, Sony

Abstract/Description

Climate change impacts are becoming more severe, adversely affecting the population living in rural areas of Nepal. Rising temperature, erratic rainfall and extreme climatic event such as drought and flood have led to water shortage, crop failures and infestation of diseases and pests. Besides climatic changes, communities are also experiencing non-climatic changes such as infrastructure development, which have feedback on local environment. These changes can have both positive and negative implications on adaptive capacity and precarity of rural communities. This study is undertaken in Indrawati rural municipality, Sindhupalchowk district to investigate interplay between environmental change and socioeconomic outcomes and assess effectiveness of existing interventions aimed at improving local lives and livelihoods. This study analyses trends of rainfall, using data of the nearest meteorological station. Participatory rural appraisal tools such as focus group discussions (FGD), field observations and key informant interviews were conducted to gather information on local livelihoods, climate change impacts and interventions of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the area. Analysis of rainfall data from1994 to 2023 shows a decline in total annual rainfall than compared to average annual rainfall. This matches with perception of FGD participants and interviewees about increasing drought. Decrease in rainfall led to drying of springs and water shortages for domestic uses and irrigation. Despite water shortage, locals have been continuing agriculture with limited available water, using grey water and shifting to crops requiring less water. Crop raiding by wildlife such as monkey has dampened their efforts and increased crop failures. There have been incidences of conflict on water supply between upstream and downstream communities. The local government has implemented livelihood support programs focusing on agriculture, livestock and water supply projects; however, success of these livelihood projects hinges on water supply, which has not yielded desirable outcomes. Consequently, local people have gradually abandoned agriculture, shifting to non-farm-based livelihoods and migrating to urban areas for alternative livelihood opportunities. It is imperative for governmental and non-governmental agencies to implement integrated interventions mitigate climate change impacts, improves adaptive capacity and ensures well-being of communities.

FS 3.154: Promoting Timur ((Zanthophylum armatum) based Agroforestry Practices for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and Economic Transformation

FS 3.156: Move or stay behind? Migration as adaptation in the context of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

FS 3.155

water crisis and anticipatory actions in the Himalayan region

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Assigned to Synthesis Workshop

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