RURAL FUTURES: CLIMATE CHANGE
The North Bengal hills and North-Eastern states of India that fall within this region provide a window into this highly heterogeneous natural world of the Eastern Himalayas. Evidence of its diversity can be seen in the 8000 species of flowering plants, over 816 tree species, 675 edibles and nearly 1743 species of medicinal value that are found here. Mountains make for fragile environments and any alterations in climatic conditions would have far-reaching impact on the ecosystems that are sustained by them. As a repository of biodiversity and ecosystems, the Eastern Himalayan region is also a sanctuary for many endangered and endemic species. The onslaught of climate change affecting the world today, which entails more severe weather, longer droughts, higher temperatures (milder winters), heat waves, changes in local biodiversity, and reduced ground and surface water quantity and quality, will be felt gravely in these regions. Climate change threatens to make the already fragile ecological balance of the region all the more vulnerable, while at the same time, increases risk of natural calamities, jeopardises food security and raises health risks for its local populations. This region is also a critical from the point of view that the Hindu Kush-Himalayan ranges contain the largest accumulation of snow and ice outside the polar region; and is the source for ten major Asian rivers, including those that flow through the subcontinent namely, Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna, Kosi, that flow towards the east and the Indus, Sutlej, Ravi, that flow towards the west. Even a 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature in the Himalayas, will have extensive impact not only on the mountainous regions but also on the northern river-plains that depend largely on them.
Even a 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature in the Himalayas, will have extensive impact on the mountainous regions the northern river-plains
This made the session on ‘Climate Change’ at the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum, 2017, of critical importance not only in keeping with latest developments and concerns in the field, spearheaded by the UNFCC and COP Summits, and the attention it has captured globally, but also because its regional focus was on one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. The panel saw experts and researchers come together to discuss the changes that were being recorded in the Eastern Himalayas, indicating that climate change had already begun to affect the flora and fauna of the region. Robbie Hart (Missourie Botanical Gardens, USA) began the conversation by sharing his experiences while working in the Himalayan alpine areas spreading over China, Nepal and Bhutan on Project GLORIA. At an altitude of 4000ft to 5000ft above sea-level, Hart and his team have measured temperature changes and its effect on alpine vegetation to show how climate change is impacting the Himalayan region. As per the IPCC 2013, this region is warming faster than the global average. Interestingly though, they recorded a rise in the number of plant species found in the alpine areas, including an increase in plant frequency in medicinal and other useful plants. Yet, this was not all good news since the rise in temperatures was leading to the conversion of the alpine vegetation into sub-alpine. All the species of plant life that were being found in the alpine region, despite its growing numbers actually indicated a loss of alpine vegetation.
The GLORIA project also brought into their research the attitudes and perspectives of local populations, whose source of sustenance depended on mountain vegetation, on the effect of climate change in their immediate surroundings. Using innovative methods, interviews, map and calendar marking, and photo voice sessions with community members, researchers engaged to gain insight about the present conditions of the Himalayan region. According to Hart, collaborative efforts between scientists and local populations, was the path forward for developing ‘human-centric designs’ for ecological practices in the alpine region of the Eastern Himalayas — building capacity of communities to monitor long-term climate change impact and providing support for rural adaption to these changes in landscape, flora and fauna in the areas inhabited by them.
One of the biggest challenges posed by climate change is the acceleration of the hydrologic cycle
Manish Kumar (ATREE), who has been researching rainfall patterns in the state of Sikkim, noted that temperature changes caused by climate change was easier to record as compared to changes in precipitation. One of the biggest challenges posed by climate change is the acceleration of the hydrologic cycle which skews the pace at which processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation takes place over a landscape. The extent and magnitude of these changes are difficult to map and model, especially over areas of complex elevational gradients because of which there are very few studies that record these shifts in the hydrologic cycle of sub-tropical mountains of the Himalayas. By analyzing the cyclic pattern of rainfall, over a period of 25–30 years, Kumar’s research showed that although there was a decrease in the annual rainfall, the number high and very-high intensity rainfall events had increased. These changes were most pronounced in mid-high-level elevations of Sikkim, making these areas vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.
Research shows that climatic changes affects flowering phenology in alpine plant species
Shweta Basnet (ATREE) conducted her research on tracing how climatic changes affected flowering phenology in alpine plant species. Phenology, or the budding, flowering and fruiting events in plants, is dependent on both abiotic (weather) and biotic (organic ecology) resources available in the landscape. By closely monitoring rhododendrons in high altitude, sub-alpine conifer forests in Sikkim, the study found that while phylogentic (physiological) characteristics strongly influence phenology of plants, abiotic factors can singularly predict the phenology events in comparison to the evolutionary history. As a result, the sensitivity of budding and fruiting events to temperature indicated that these species were vulnerable to future warming of the climate.
The discussion on the panel shifted focus from monitoring natural phenomena in predicting climate change to anthropogenic interventions of unmitigated exploitation natural resources, which accelerated processes of climate change. Kamal Pandiya (Globally Managed Services), in his presentation spoke of the relationship between mining and climate change. Drawing on his experience of consulting with companies, he pointed that it was impossible for mining as an activity to have zero carbon footprint. However, there were enough legislations and frameworks in place to not only ensure sustainable mining practices but also mitigate, to some extent, the damage already done. To prevent the disruptive practice of mining from having disastrous consequences for the environment, what was needed was not more laws but a more meticulous following of the guidelines laid down by the laws.
Local knowledge on preserving natural resources can help mitigate climate change impacts
The presentations on this panel discussion focused on varied aspects of climate change in the Eastern Himalayan region, making abundantly clear the threats posed by it to the diverse biodiversity of the region as well as the susceptibility of human life to natural calamities. In conclusion, observations made by Prof K K Baruah (Tezpur University) were instructive in planning a comprehensive model to tackle the challenges presented by climate change. The Eastern Himalayas, despite having notable bio-cultural diversity, is one the most understudied regions in the context of climate change impact. He stressed that there is an urgent need for intensive research work to be carried out through coordinated projects in these area, to assess the trend of climate change and possible mitigation strategies. As the way forward, scientists, researchers, practitioners, and community members would be better equipped to plan, mitigate and adapt to changes in climatic conditions by taking on board local knowledge about the endemic species and the everyday experiences of changes in weather patterns.
The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum has been a platform to foster a dialogue on Rural Futures through the concept of Naturenomics™ and multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. The “Rural Futures Framework” catalyzes conservation efforts through designing holistic models for human centric, community based conservation to create social-environmental and economic interdependence.
RURAL FUTURES: CLIMATE CHANGE
The North Bengal hills and North-Eastern states of India that fall within this region provide a window into this highly heterogeneous natural world of the Eastern Himalayas. Evidence of its diversity can be seen in the 8000 species of flowering plants, over 816 tree species, 675 edibles and nearly 1743 species of medicinal value that are found here. Mountains make for fragile environments and any alterations in climatic conditions would have far-reaching impact on the ecosystems that are sustained by them. As a repository of biodiversity and ecosystems, the Eastern Himalayan region is also a sanctuary for many endangered and endemic species. The onslaught of climate change affecting the world today, which entails more severe weather, longer droughts, higher temperatures (milder winters), heat waves, changes in local biodiversity, and reduced ground and surface water quantity and quality, will be felt gravely in these regions. Climate change threatens to make the already fragile ecological balance of the region all the more vulnerable, while at the same time, increases risk of natural calamities, jeopardises food security and raises health risks for its local populations. This region is also a critical from the point of view that the Hindu Kush-Himalayan ranges contain the largest accumulation of snow and ice outside the polar region; and is the source for ten major Asian rivers, including those that flow through the subcontinent namely, Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna, Kosi, that flow towards the east and the Indus, Sutlej, Ravi, that flow towards the west. Even a 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature in the Himalayas, will have extensive impact not only on the mountainous regions but also on the northern river-plains that depend largely on them.
Even a 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature in the Himalayas, will have extensive impact on the mountainous regions the northern river-plains
This made the session on ‘Climate Change’ at the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum, 2017, of critical importance not only in keeping with latest developments and concerns in the field, spearheaded by the UNFCC and COP Summits, and the attention it has captured globally, but also because its regional focus was on one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. The panel saw experts and researchers come together to discuss the changes that were being recorded in the Eastern Himalayas, indicating that climate change had already begun to affect the flora and fauna of the region. Robbie Hart (Missourie Botanical Gardens, USA) began the conversation by sharing his experiences while working in the Himalayan alpine areas spreading over China, Nepal and Bhutan on Project GLORIA. At an altitude of 4000ft to 5000ft above sea-level, Hart and his team have measured temperature changes and its effect on alpine vegetation to show how climate change is impacting the Himalayan region. As per the IPCC 2013, this region is warming faster than the global average. Interestingly though, they recorded a rise in the number of plant species found in the alpine areas, including an increase in plant frequency in medicinal and other useful plants. Yet, this was not all good news since the rise in temperatures was leading to the conversion of the alpine vegetation into sub-alpine. All the species of plant life that were being found in the alpine region, despite its growing numbers actually indicated a loss of alpine vegetation.
The GLORIA project also brought into their research the attitudes and perspectives of local populations, whose source of sustenance depended on mountain vegetation, on the effect of climate change in their immediate surroundings. Using innovative methods, interviews, map and calendar marking, and photo voice sessions with community members, researchers engaged to gain insight about the present conditions of the Himalayan region. According to Hart, collaborative efforts between scientists and local populations, was the path forward for developing ‘human-centric designs’ for ecological practices in the alpine region of the Eastern Himalayas — building capacity of communities to monitor long-term climate change impact and providing support for rural adaption to these changes in landscape, flora and fauna in the areas inhabited by them.
One of the biggest challenges posed by climate change is the acceleration of the hydrologic cycle
Manish Kumar (ATREE), who has been researching rainfall patterns in the state of Sikkim, noted that temperature changes caused by climate change was easier to record as compared to changes in precipitation. One of the biggest challenges posed by climate change is the acceleration of the hydrologic cycle which skews the pace at which processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation takes place over a landscape. The extent and magnitude of these changes are difficult to map and model, especially over areas of complex elevational gradients because of which there are very few studies that record these shifts in the hydrologic cycle of sub-tropical mountains of the Himalayas. By analyzing the cyclic pattern of rainfall, over a period of 25–30 years, Kumar’s research showed that although there was a decrease in the annual rainfall, the number high and very-high intensity rainfall events had increased. These changes were most pronounced in mid-high-level elevations of Sikkim, making these areas vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.
Research shows that climatic changes affects flowering phenology in alpine plant species
Shweta Basnet (ATREE) conducted her research on tracing how climatic changes affected flowering phenology in alpine plant species. Phenology, or the budding, flowering and fruiting events in plants, is dependent on both abiotic (weather) and biotic (organic ecology) resources available in the landscape. By closely monitoring rhododendrons in high altitude, sub-alpine conifer forests in Sikkim, the study found that while phylogentic (physiological) characteristics strongly influence phenology of plants, abiotic factors can singularly predict the phenology events in comparison to the evolutionary history. As a result, the sensitivity of budding and fruiting events to temperature indicated that these species were vulnerable to future warming of the climate.
The discussion on the panel shifted focus from monitoring natural phenomena in predicting climate change to anthropogenic interventions of unmitigated exploitation natural resources, which accelerated processes of climate change. Kamal Pandiya (Globally Managed Services), in his presentation spoke of the relationship between mining and climate change. Drawing on his experience of consulting with companies, he pointed that it was impossible for mining as an activity to have zero carbon footprint. However, there were enough legislations and frameworks in place to not only ensure sustainable mining practices but also mitigate, to some extent, the damage already done. To prevent the disruptive practice of mining from having disastrous consequences for the environment, what was needed was not more laws but a more meticulous following of the guidelines laid down by the laws.
Local knowledge on preserving natural resources can help mitigate climate change impacts
The presentations on this panel discussion focused on varied aspects of climate change in the Eastern Himalayan region, making abundantly clear the threats posed by it to the diverse biodiversity of the region as well as the susceptibility of human life to natural calamities. In conclusion, observations made by Prof K K Baruah (Tezpur University) were instructive in planning a comprehensive model to tackle the challenges presented by climate change. The Eastern Himalayas, despite having notable bio-cultural diversity, is one the most understudied regions in the context of climate change impact. He stressed that there is an urgent need for intensive research work to be carried out through coordinated projects in these area, to assess the trend of climate change and possible mitigation strategies. As the way forward, scientists, researchers, practitioners, and community members would be better equipped to plan, mitigate and adapt to changes in climatic conditions by taking on board local knowledge about the endemic species and the everyday experiences of changes in weather patterns.
Sinjini Mukherjee is an independent researcher and writer. She is a keen observer of the human condition and feels passionately about politics and philosophy. She is also a fierce lover of animals and the ocean.
The Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics™ Forum has been a platform to foster a dialogue on Rural Futures through the concept of Naturenomics™ and multi-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. The “Rural Futures Framework” catalyzes conservation efforts through designing holistic models for human centric, community based conservation to create social-environmental and economic interdependence.
