Adaptation Frameworks for Climate Change—Eloquent to Himalayan Ecosystems - Impact of Global Changes on Mountains: Responses and Adaptation - page 156

Non-Climatic drivers

Human
well being

Climate &
Environmental Envelopes

Ecosystems
Forests
Snow/Water
Soil/Geology
Biodiversity

Ecosystem Services
Cultural
Provisional
Regulatory
Supporting

Agriculture

Figure 6.1. Linkage between climate change drivers, ecosystems, and human well being
(adapted from MEA 2003).

fl ash fl oods (Fig. 6.2). Climate change is having direct impact on human life
and livelihoods, affecting different sectors, including water, agriculture and
food security and forest. Such affects would exacerbate all environmental
and developmental problems in Himalaya.

Response Measures for the Management of Climate Change in the
Himalayan Region

Review of current adaptation strategies in mountain region suggests several
important lessons; the foremost is that all adaptation and development
initiatives must be considered a continuum. In fact the adaptation and
mitigation is a continuous process and should be dynamic in identifi cation,
adaptation and implementation phases. At one end are developments
activities such as providing basic amenities like drinking water, energy
and food security, while at the other end are the efforts required to reduce
vulnerability to climate change and disaster risk and to build socio-
environmental resilience. In the mountainous regions, livelihood which is
the most important and key factor defi ning the interaction with the natural
environment needs diversifi cation and this one of a key adaptation strategies
requires policy and institutional support. Likewise social networks, self-help
groups and local institutions play a vital role in developing and realizing
the adaptive capacity. Furthermore, socio-cultural norms and environmental