Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
19.11.1.2
APPLICATION OF REGIONAL CLIMATE MODELS
(RCMS)
The Himalayas are not well represented in global models because of the
coarse resolution of such models. Regional climate models, with a higher
resolution than global ones, need to be constructed for 'hotspots' and run
for shorter periods (20 years or so). The results of RCMs have to be down-
scaled and applied to impact assessments, particularly for watersheds or
subcatchments.
19.11.2 MITIGATION MEASURES
19.11.2.1
BEYOND THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
With rapid regional economic growth, China and India, in particular,
should accept equal, albeit differentiated, responsibility to developed
countries for controlling increasing carbon emissions. Countries should
jointly develop a regional action plan for the control of emissions. Partici-
pation of all countries has to be achieved by allowing them to interpret the
mandates of international agreements according to their national interests
and priorities.
19.11.2.2 LAND-USE MANAGEMENT FOR CARBON SINKS AND
REDUCED EMISSIONS
Many countries in the Himalayas have experienced forest recovery (or
transition), through policy intervention and the participation of local com-
munities in forest management. Examples include forest conservation in
Bhutan, tree plantation in China, community forest user groups in Nepal
and joint forest management in India. The forests conserved have contrib-
uted significantly to carbon sequestration (Fang et al., 2001).
19.11.2.3
PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (PES)
The mountains of the greater Himalayas provide abundant services to the
downstream population in terms of water for household purposes, agri-
