88
concentrations”. Such changes in climate have already started affecting biological
systems worldwide (Walther et al. 2002; Parmesan and Yohe 2003). With a growing
world population, rising demand for food, water and energy and a dwindling natural
resource base, CC will act as a ‘threat multiplier’ putting further stress on socioecological systems. The mountain regions, including the Himalaya, are particularly
vulnerable under these change scenarios, on two main counts: (i) warming trends
are higher in the region, and (ii) the impacts are magnified by the sharp change in
altitude over small distances. The climate change is a major global environmental
challenge with implications on food production and security, fresh water supply,
health, forests and biodiversity.
Projected studies indicate that Himalayan forests, and Alpine grass lands including that of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), can be very sensitive to CC. The region
is likely to warm more rapidly, thus affecting the life and livelihoods of the people
and stability of the entire region (Hansen et al. 2006; Shrestha et al. 2012; Devkota
et al. 2016). As per Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA)
report, the annual mean surface air temperature of the IHR is projected to increase
from 0.9 ± 0.6 °C to 2.6 ± 0.7 °C in the 2030s (INCCA 2010). Studies exhibit consistent trends in overall warming in the Himalayan region over the past few decades,
with indications that temperatures are rising at higher rates in higher altitude areas.
The reported CC impact assessment studies show adverse impacts of CC on agriculture, forests and water resources, which are likely to pose a significant adaptation
challenge to the communities in this region. Thus, there is a need to address the
implications of current climate variability and projected CC by developing adaptation and resilience, and building strategies for the long term.
In order to address adaptation and mitigation, reliable information and data are
needed to assess the impact of CC so that reliable predictions can be made about
future changes which in turn can be used as a basis for planning purposes in
Himalayan region (Shrestha and Devkota 2010). The Himalayan region is considered as ‘Data deficit region’ as it lacks consistent long-term data. This gap in data
information comes in the way for developing approaches to deal with impact of
CC. The National Action Plan on Climate Change for India (NAPCC), released on
30th June 2008, outlines a national strategy aimed to enable the country adapt to the
CC and enhance the ecological sustainability leading India on a developmental
path. It stresses that maintaining a high growth rate is essential for increasing living
standards of the vast majority of people of India in tandem with reducing their vulnerability to the impacts of CC. The NAPCC, among others, recognizes the
Himalayan ecosystem as vital for preserving the ecological security of the country.
Considering this, the NAPCC sets out National Mission for Sustaining the
Himalayan Ecosystem’ (NMSHE) as one of the area-specific missions among the
eight National Missions (the other seven being sectoral or thematic in nature). The
mission envisages measures for sustaining and safeguarding the glaciers and mountain ecosystems. Among others measures, it recognizes the need for instituting an
observation and monitoring network across the region. Although data sets are being
generated under NMSHE, there is a need for more serious thought process and
R&D by Indian Scientists on CC aspects on IHR. While defining implementation
S. K. Nandi et al.
concentrations”. Such changes in climate have already started affecting biological
systems worldwide (Walther et al. 2002; Parmesan and Yohe 2003). With a growing
world population, rising demand for food, water and energy and a dwindling natural
resource base, CC will act as a ‘threat multiplier’ putting further stress on socioecological systems. The mountain regions, including the Himalaya, are particularly
vulnerable under these change scenarios, on two main counts: (i) warming trends
are higher in the region, and (ii) the impacts are magnified by the sharp change in
altitude over small distances. The climate change is a major global environmental
challenge with implications on food production and security, fresh water supply,
health, forests and biodiversity.
Projected studies indicate that Himalayan forests, and Alpine grass lands including that of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), can be very sensitive to CC. The region
is likely to warm more rapidly, thus affecting the life and livelihoods of the people
and stability of the entire region (Hansen et al. 2006; Shrestha et al. 2012; Devkota
et al. 2016). As per Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA)
report, the annual mean surface air temperature of the IHR is projected to increase
from 0.9 ± 0.6 °C to 2.6 ± 0.7 °C in the 2030s (INCCA 2010). Studies exhibit consistent trends in overall warming in the Himalayan region over the past few decades,
with indications that temperatures are rising at higher rates in higher altitude areas.
The reported CC impact assessment studies show adverse impacts of CC on agriculture, forests and water resources, which are likely to pose a significant adaptation
challenge to the communities in this region. Thus, there is a need to address the
implications of current climate variability and projected CC by developing adaptation and resilience, and building strategies for the long term.
In order to address adaptation and mitigation, reliable information and data are
needed to assess the impact of CC so that reliable predictions can be made about
future changes which in turn can be used as a basis for planning purposes in
Himalayan region (Shrestha and Devkota 2010). The Himalayan region is considered as ‘Data deficit region’ as it lacks consistent long-term data. This gap in data
information comes in the way for developing approaches to deal with impact of
CC. The National Action Plan on Climate Change for India (NAPCC), released on
30th June 2008, outlines a national strategy aimed to enable the country adapt to the
CC and enhance the ecological sustainability leading India on a developmental
path. It stresses that maintaining a high growth rate is essential for increasing living
standards of the vast majority of people of India in tandem with reducing their vulnerability to the impacts of CC. The NAPCC, among others, recognizes the
Himalayan ecosystem as vital for preserving the ecological security of the country.
Considering this, the NAPCC sets out National Mission for Sustaining the
Himalayan Ecosystem’ (NMSHE) as one of the area-specific missions among the
eight National Missions (the other seven being sectoral or thematic in nature). The
mission envisages measures for sustaining and safeguarding the glaciers and mountain ecosystems. Among others measures, it recognizes the need for instituting an
observation and monitoring network across the region. Although data sets are being
generated under NMSHE, there is a need for more serious thought process and
R&D by Indian Scientists on CC aspects on IHR. While defining implementation
S. K. Nandi et al.