Abstract ID: 3.13144 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Water resources availability in the glacier-fed river basins of the Himalayan-Karakoram mountains is rapidly changing due to the impacts of climate variability on the sensitive cryosphere resources. On the other side, water demands are increasing and diversifying due to changes in socio-economic conditions leading to shifts in agricultural patterns and increasing tourism. These shifts in water availability are acutely experienced by the local communities who rely on and manage the local water resources using traditional practices and values. The Lahaul Valley in dry and arid climate of Western Himalayas is a prime example of the aforementioned challenges to securing local water security. In this regard, we explore the local water security in Lahaul valley using an integrated approach through quantitative and qualitative methods. Household surveys and focus group discussions conducted in the 47 villages in the region are analyzed to inform traditional water management practices and adaptive responses in cases of water scarcity. Furthermore, we analyze the irrigation and drinking water distribution systems through the interplay of institutional, cultural and technical aspects. We explore the importance of traditional water management practices in societal responses to adapt to changing conditions through sharing risk behavior. We also showcase case studies of water-rich and water-scarce villages in the valley highlighting their differing water distribution strategies and prioritized adaptive responses to pursue local water security.