Integrated Watershed Management and adaptation to climate change
in the Hindu Kush - Himalaya
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Mats ErikssonSanjeev BhucharIsabelle ProvidoliRamesh Vaidya
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OutlineIntroduction to Hindu Kush - HimalayaClimate change in HKHCurrent and emerging challenges in high altitude watershedsIntegrated Watershed Management for adaptation to Climate ChangeBest practices from highland watershedsConclusions
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Vision: The mountain population of the greater Himalayas enjoys improved well-being in a sustainable global environment
1.3 billion people depend on
‘the water tower’
9 Large River Basins
Provides Ecosystem Services to 200 million mountain
people
9 Large River Basins
Highly fragile Ecosystems
4 Globally significant Biodiversity Hotspots
9 Large River Basins
2.8 billion people in the countries sharing the HKH
9 Large River Basins
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HKH Temperature Trends
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3y = -161.57 + 0.081443x R= 0.59188
μ=8.09σ=0.33
Temperature A
nomaly ( oC
)
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
y = -134.43 + 0.068 x R= 0.49862 μ=20.22σ=0.31
Tem
pera
ture
Ano
mal
y (o C
)
Year
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3y = -184.44 + 0.093 x R= 0.65632 μ=-3.09σ=0.39
Tem
pera
ture
Ano
mal
y (o C
) a.
b.
c.
d.
Source: Arun Shrestha
The temperature increases faster on high altitude: Tibetan plateau
Liu and Chen, 1999
2006 (Photo: Giovanni Kappenberger
courtesy of Alton C Byers)
1956 (Photo: Fritz Muller;
courtesy of Jack Ives)
Imja Glacier, Nepal – Repeat Photography
Glacier Mass Balance
Himalayan glaciers are shrinking more rapidly than elsewhere
Dyurgerov and Meier, 2005
Climate Change – what will we have to adapt to?
We will face long term and short term challenges
Long term = (seasonal) droughts + floodsShort term = water hazards (flash floods)
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Changes in Runoff over Time: Seasonal and long term
(from Jansson, Stockholm University)
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Tsho Rolpa Glacial LakeTsho Rolpa Glacial Lake
Permafrost is meltingPermafrost is melting
Ice and rock fall can causeIce and rock fall can cause destructive wavesdestructive waves
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In the village of Brep, Pakistan, houses and livelihoods were destroyed 2005
Local Knowledge saved the peopleLocal Knowledge saved the people
“Our women might commit suicide…”
The resettled community
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Current challenges in high altitude watersheds – Tibet and Afghanistan
General facts: low rainfall; low temperature and severe winter; rugged and fragile terrain; high soil erosion rates due to wind and water;short growing seasons and limited suitable agricultural land; Marginalization: limited/lack of access to basic government, social and technical services including health care, education, and agricultural extension services.
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Current degradation problems in watersheds
Flash floodsDamage to agriculture and horticulture Poor drinking and irrigation water quality due to sediment in the streams.Deficiency of fodder, fuel-wood and timber in the villages.
Afghanistan TibetDysfunctioning of hydro-power plants.Poor drinking and irrigation water quality due to sediment in the streams.Deficiency of fodder, fuel-wood and timber in the villages.
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Emerging challenges in high altitude watersheds – Tibet and AfghanistanChallenges will get reinforceddue to Climate ChangeSevere natural resources degradationLow agriculture productivityHigh levels of poverty
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Reasons for inappropriate watershed management
Inappropriate- land use systems- land management- technologies and strategies- investments
Land Degradation
Marginal Environment
Demand
Poverty
Lack of Knowledge
Social + political
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Poor infiltrationPoor infiltrationHigh RunoffHigh Runoff
High grazing pressureHigh grazing pressure
Sealed surfacesSealed surfacesScarce vegetationScarce vegetation
Soil ErosionSoil Erosion
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Ensure water recharge, e.g. re-vegetation of degraded landscapes – (Mongolia)
Contour bunding with stones: Increased infiltration!
Fodder/ fuel wood cultivation
Technologies – need to be locally relevant and of low cost
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Kanda (in pic.) / Karez Afghanistan
Good adaptation practices – water harvesting
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Good adaptation practices – conservation irrigation
Ridge furrow method
Afghanistan
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Good adaptation practices – wind erosion control
Shelter belt Afghanistan
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Integrated and a package approach – PARDYP experience
Water managementFarming system managementImproved agriculture productivityImproved access and equity
Roof water harvesting system
Drip irrigation Bio-briquette Black plastic composting
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IWM as an approach to adaptation to CC
Participatory and adaptive management of high altitude watersheds is important showing links to livelihoods
Considering cross-cutting themes:Improved access and equity – focus on empowering marginalized groups of people, including women, children, elderly.Capacity buildingLink to income-generation (migration)
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Climate Change adaptation
CC “tolerant”– CC “sensitive” technologies
Change of agricultural practices if e.g. crops are CC sensitive (change of crops)Change in water regimes, e.g. drying up of springs (water harvesting)New pests leading to change in post-harvest methodsShift in vegetation patterns (exploring new species)
Schools are built here!Schools are built here!
Chitral District, Northern Pakistan
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Concluding remarks IResearch on e.g. best conservation/use of scarce water resourceDocumentation of best practices (Local knowledge)Knowledge sharing through networksSupport for collaborative watershed management programmes required
Capacity building of institutions (NGOs, GO’s, community, etc.)
Promotion of adapted technologies taking into account package approach
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Concluding remarks II
Take into account sacrifices by upstream people for the betterment of the lives of the downstream people in watersheds. Therefore, institutional mechanisms for payment of ecosystem services will have to be devised.ICIMOD is starting to work on PES schemes in the HKH region.
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Thank you
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Integrated Watershed Management and adaptation to climate change
in the Himalayas
