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FS 3.156

To move or stay behind is the question

Details

Full Title
FS 3.156: Move or stay behind? Migration as adaptation in the context of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
Scheduled
Talks:
2025-09-17, 13:30 - 15:00 (LT), Theologie – SR VI
Convener
Binaya Pasakhala
Co-Conveners
Amina Maharjan, Binaya Pasakhala, Sagar Sharma,
Assigned to Synthesis Workshop
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Thematic Focus
Adaptation, Equality, Migration, Mobility, Policy, Sustainable Development
Keywords
Migration, Stay behind, Adaptation, Climate change, Hindu Kush Himalaya

Description

Migration has been an important livelihood strategy of communities living in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The evidence shows that there are muti-dimensional drivers of migration, such as economic and environmental factors. In-situ responses are becoming inadequate or no longer viable due to increasing climate variability and extreme climatic events. This has intensified migration in the region resulting in social, economic, ecological and political impacts at both origins and destinations. However, migration is not an option for everyone, because social, cultural and economic barriers significantly limit one’s ability to move. The policy discourse and mainstream media in the region often portray migration as challenge. Such efforts can be counterproductive, increasing exposure of communities, particularly marginalized communities, to growing climate crisis at origins as well as destinations. The outcomes of migration for left behind and migrant populations vary widely, significantly differentiated by gender and other contextual social markers. It is crucial to understand who decides to migrate or stay behind and under what conditions migration can be an adaptation or improve adaptive capacity. Therefore, this open session invites researchers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines to bridge knowledge gaps and inform current policies and practices that better support people who choose to remain or leave in the mountains. The selected presentations will be primary research adopting different types of qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on the co-creation techniques diverse stakeholders.

Registered Abstracts

ID: 3.9117

|Maharjan, Amina

Maharjan, Amina

Sustaining indigenous institution through climate and social uncertainties: Tale of two high mountain communities from Western Nepal

Maharjan, Amina

Pasakhala, Binaya; Joshi, Srijana; Basnet, Sunayana; Lama, Paljor; Bhattarai, Ishwari; Gurung, Janita

Abstract/Description

Many settlements in the high mountain areas of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region are often remote and marginalised but are inhabited by Indigenous communities who have developed unique practices to manage their natural resources based on local ecology and societal needs. In the Limi Valley and Kagbeni of western Nepal, Indigenous institutions that governs natural resources is deeply rooted in local history, culture and religion. Over the last two of decades, the local community has experienced a range of environmental and socio-economic changes, particularly climate change and migration, which have implications on Indigenous institutions. This study explores the social, economic, and cultural factors affecting the sustainability of the Indigenous institution, while identifying opportunities with policy implications. It draws on interviews and group discussions with community members of the Limi and Kagbeni and other stakeholders about climate change, migration, and their implications on functioning of the institution. Additionally, observations by the author team through repeated visits to the two communities also informed the study findings. The study findings highlight that increasing disaster risks such as floods, and rockfalls threaten cultural heritage and local livelihoods. Furthermore, youth outmigration for education or economic opportunities, and an increasingly ageing population poses serious challenges to maintaining the functioning of the traditional institution. However, the multi-local livelihood opportunities within and nearby areas have evolved as an adaptation strategy that have encouraged youth to return and engage in and sustaining the Indigenous institution. Place attachment, social bonding and cultural identity were major influencing factors among elderly population and youth to stay behind. The Indigenous institution is central to the identity of the both communities and their governance system, therefore, policy interventions need to recognize and support such Indigenous institutions to effectively address local livelihoods and climate challenges.

ID: 3.11429

|Abbing, Robin

Abbing, Robin

Staying despite multi-hazard risk: Photovoice stories from upland Nepal

Abbing, Robin

Maharjan, Amina

Abstract/Description

Why do people stay in areas of increasing natural hazard risk? This study focuses on risk perceptions and migration decision-making in a multi-hazard context of upland Nepal. Since the catastrophic earthquake of 2015, the landscape of many valleys in northern Nepal have become increasingly unstable, resulting in recurring landslides, floods and rockfall events. Additionally, climate change is accelerating glacier retreat in the whole of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, heightening the risk of glacial-lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

In this high-risk setting, the study used qualitative and participatory methods to study the lived experiences and perceptions of natural hazards among the residents of a village in the Bhote Koshi valley. Using Photovoice, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, complex mobility dilemmas were revealed: while most residents are highly aware of the increasing risks, many also feel deeply attached to their land, often resulting in a state of immobility. Notably, those who remain are predominantly the most financially vulnerable, or are constrained by age, gender or class and caste in their mobility potential (motility).

Yet, to categorise this as ‘involuntary immobility’ or ‘acquiescent immobility’ proved inadequate and overly simplistic, as it does not fully capture the residents’ experiences. Rather, their immobility is the outcome of a combination of both positive and negative factors and exists on a continuum between choice and inevitability– or ‘voluntary’ and ‘forced’ as often used in (im)mobility literature.

The findings of this study question the practical applicability of (im)mobility categorisations as conceptualised through the aspirations-capabilities framework. They emphasise the need for a more nuanced understanding of immobility that is rooted in human experience. Such insights are vital to informing inclusive policymaking that enhances the mobility potential and adaptive capacity of people who remain in places exposed to high environmental risk.

Submitted Abstracts

ID: 3.8027

Migration as good, bad and necessary: examining impacts of migration on staying Himalayan communities affected by climate change

Himani Upadhyay

Abstract/Description

Within the migration system, the seminal Foresight report highlighted that climate change can have significant implications for staying populations. Yet research on this remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing the impacts of sustained outmigration on staying farmer communities in the Indian Himalayan Region, affected by incremental climate change. Employing an empirical qualitative approach, new data is collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 72). Staying communities describe migration as good, bad, and necessary with the majority (46%) noting negative impacts such as fewer people to do agriculture, abandoned assets, more tasks for women, loss of community, disrupted household structures, mental health implications for the elderly, and disinvestment in public services. While remittances from migration have positive impacts, they are primarily used for meeting everyday needs (81%) and not invested in climate change adaptation. In addition to migration impacts, changing weather patterns, agricultural shifts, and societal transformations further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of staying populations. Without policy support to address these vulnerabilities, the benefits of migration may not effectively contribute to climate change adaptation. The findings here are likely applicable to staying populations in other mountain areas, facing similar pressures from migration and climate change, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to build long-term adaptive capacity.

ID: 3.9117

Sustaining indigenous institution through climate and social uncertainties: Tale of two high mountain communities from Western Nepal

Amina Maharjan
Pasakhala, Binaya; Joshi, Srijana; Basnet, Sunayana; Lama, Paljor; Bhattarai, Ishwari; Gurung, Janita

Abstract/Description

Many settlements in the high mountain areas of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region are often remote and marginalised but are inhabited by Indigenous communities who have developed unique practices to manage their natural resources based on local ecology and societal needs. In the Limi Valley and Kagbeni of western Nepal, Indigenous institutions that governs natural resources is deeply rooted in local history, culture and religion. Over the last two of decades, the local community has experienced a range of environmental and socio-economic changes, particularly climate change and migration, which have implications on Indigenous institutions. This study explores the social, economic, and cultural factors affecting the sustainability of the Indigenous institution, while identifying opportunities with policy implications. It draws on interviews and group discussions with community members of the Limi and Kagbeni and other stakeholders about climate change, migration, and their implications on functioning of the institution. Additionally, observations by the author team through repeated visits to the two communities also informed the study findings. The study findings highlight that increasing disaster risks such as floods, and rockfalls threaten cultural heritage and local livelihoods. Furthermore, youth outmigration for education or economic opportunities, and an increasingly ageing population poses serious challenges to maintaining the functioning of the traditional institution. However, the multi-local livelihood opportunities within and nearby areas have evolved as an adaptation strategy that have encouraged youth to return and engage in and sustaining the Indigenous institution. Place attachment, social bonding and cultural identity were major influencing factors among elderly population and youth to stay behind. The Indigenous institution is central to the identity of the both communities and their governance system, therefore, policy interventions need to recognize and support such Indigenous institutions to effectively address local livelihoods and climate challenges.

ID: 3.9198

Between Leaving and Staying: Climate-Driven Migration and Livelihood Transformations in Uttarakhand’s Fragile Mountain Landscapes

Praveen Kalura

Abstract/Description

Climate change is significantly transforming ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), especially in Uttarakhand, where temperature variations, increasing rainfall variability, retreating glaciers, and changing snowlines affect resource availability. These climatic changes aggravate food and water shortages, crop failures, and livelihood restrictions by intensifying water stress, disturbing farming zones, and increasing the drought frequency. With declining chances, outmigration has become a major coping mechanism with major effects on women left behind. This study investigates climate-induced migration in Uttarakhand, where declining livelihoods have resulted in the emergence of “ghost villages”; abandoned settlements caused by widespread outmigration. The effects of climate change were evaluated using CMIP6 forecasts based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios, which were correlated with migration trends using socioeconomic data. The multimodal ensemble mean of NEX-GDDP models was employed to examine yearly rainfall and temperature trends for three future periods: near-future (2025–2050) and mid-future (2051–2075), relative to the 1985–2015 baseline. Findings indicate that under some SSP scenarios, yearly rainfall is expected to grow by 6% to 20% in addition to increasing frequency of severe rainfall events in every district. Warmer days would become more frequent when temperatures rise more than 1.5°C. Concurrent with declining landholdings, higher crop losses, and climate variability, agriculture is becoming unviable and up to 50% of residents will be forced to migrate from lost livelihoods. Men-dominated migration adds more agricultural and household chores for women. Over next few decades, agricultural output will drop resulting in in worsening food shortages. Communities must adapt to climate change by building stronger farming systems, exploring new livelihoods, and improving roads and health services. Restoring water sources is essential, supported by women and marginalized groups with financial help and teamwork. With ongoing research, local participation, and regular evaluation, these efforts stay inclusive and effective, protecting our future against changing environments for everyone’s overall benefit.

ID: 3.9527

Adaptation by choice or by force? Climate change and migration in the foothills of the Himalayas

Sagar Raj Sharma
Gurung, Ganesh; Baral, Chiranjivi; KC, Sony

Abstract/Description

There has been a gradual change in the discourse regarding climate change and migration in recent years. Migration is now not just seen as a consequence of climate change, but also as a form of adaptation in the face of climate change and its various impacts. The increasing evidence of migration as adaptation seen in the various parts of the world begs some critical questions. If more and more people are using migration as an adaptation, what are the implications for effective strategies and interventions for these people? Given the fact that while for some people, under certain circumstances, migration can be an effective form of adaptation, for others it can lead to increased vulnerabilities and risks, reducing their adaptive capacities, how can the stakeholders build an enabling environment for the migrants? This paper attempts to unlock these dimensions of migration, with a particular focus on the mountains and hills (Mustang and Sindhupalchok districts) of Nepal, where migration for economic reasons is still the predominant driver of moving out of one’s place of origin. Despite some migrants being able to successfully uplift the situation of their households, the interventions on climate change adaptation from local governments and authorities are not consistent and given much priority. This paper highlights the need for discourse and strategies on migration and adaptation, especially in the regions where the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly severe and visible.

ID: 3.11429

Staying despite multi-hazard risk: Photovoice stories from upland Nepal

Robin Abbing
Maharjan, Amina

Abstract/Description

Why do people stay in areas of increasing natural hazard risk? This study focuses on risk perceptions and migration decision-making in a multi-hazard context of upland Nepal. Since the catastrophic earthquake of 2015, the landscape of many valleys in northern Nepal have become increasingly unstable, resulting in recurring landslides, floods and rockfall events. Additionally, climate change is accelerating glacier retreat in the whole of the Hindu Kush Himalayas, heightening the risk of glacial-lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

In this high-risk setting, the study used qualitative and participatory methods to study the lived experiences and perceptions of natural hazards among the residents of a village in the Bhote Koshi valley. Using Photovoice, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, complex mobility dilemmas were revealed: while most residents are highly aware of the increasing risks, many also feel deeply attached to their land, often resulting in a state of immobility. Notably, those who remain are predominantly the most financially vulnerable, or are constrained by age, gender or class and caste in their mobility potential (motility).

Yet, to categorise this as ‘involuntary immobility’ or ‘acquiescent immobility’ proved inadequate and overly simplistic, as it does not fully capture the residents’ experiences. Rather, their immobility is the outcome of a combination of both positive and negative factors and exists on a continuum between choice and inevitability– or ‘voluntary’ and ‘forced’ as often used in (im)mobility literature.

The findings of this study question the practical applicability of (im)mobility categorisations as conceptualised through the aspirations-capabilities framework. They emphasise the need for a more nuanced understanding of immobility that is rooted in human experience. Such insights are vital to informing inclusive policymaking that enhances the mobility potential and adaptive capacity of people who remain in places exposed to high environmental risk.

ID: 3.11711

Climate Change-Induced Migration Among Indigenous Communities: A Case Study of the Majhi People

Prerana Lama

Abstract/Description

Mountain regions worldwide, including Nepal, are predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities who maintain deep connections with the natural environment. These communities, also known as Adibasi Janajati or Indigenous communities, rely on natural resources for sustenance while upholding cultural and socio-political practices that contribute to sustainable resource management. Among them, the Majhi community is distinguished by its unique language, attire, and traditional occupations, primarily boating and fishing. However, climate change poses severe challenges to their livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and fishing. This study examines the impact of climate change on the Majhi people of Kuivir village, Chishankhugadhi rural municipality, Okhaldhunga, Nepal, over the past decade. It explores their indigenous knowledge and adaptation strategies to cope with changing climatic conditions.
Findings indicate that drought, water scarcity, and declining fish populations have significantly disrupted traditional livelihood patterns, leading to increased migration, particularly among youth seeking foreign employment. With limited land ownership and diminishing opportunities in their ancestral occupations, older individuals and women are left to manage agricultural activities, often yielding insufficient production. The Majhi community faces a dilemma: preserve their cultural heritage or shift towards alternative livelihoods for survival. This research highlights the urgent need for sustainable climate adaptation strategies and policy interventions to support indigenous communities grappling with climate-induced socio-economic transformations.

FS 3.155: Adapting to the Water Crisis in the Himalayan Region: Sectoral Implications and Anticipatory Actions

FS 3.157: Agritourism in Mountain Areas in the Era of Overtourism

#IMC: September 14 - 18 2025

FS 3.156

To move or stay behind is the question

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