Evaluating the potential of ecosystem services
management to alleviate poverty in the Upper
Mustang Region, Nepal
International conference on climate change innovation and
resilience for sustainable livelihood
12- 14 January 2015
Kathmandu, Nepal
Jagat K. Bhusal, Keshav P. Sharma, Deepak Paudel, Santos Regmi, Praju Gurung, Zed Zulkafli, Timos Karpouzoglou, Wouter Buytaert, David M. Hannah, Bhopal Pandey
(Mountain EVO Team- SOHAM Nepal)
Research Objective
To collect data on Ecosystem Services
To understand processes like who, how and
where decisions on ESS are being made
To understand the existing pressure on
these ecosystem services
Literature Review
General Situation Analysis
Selection of Village Development
Committee
Socio-economic Survey
Selection of Research Site
Detailed Situation Analysis
Participatory tools
Methodology
Physiography: Trans-Himalayan Region
Area: 3144.1 km2 (11 VDC)
Population: 7,154 (CBS, 2011)(11 VDC)
Climate: Alpine cold, dry, and arid climate
Main income source: On farm and off farm
Activities
Major Ecosystem Services:
Provisional services (Food and Water); soil,
Rangeland ecosystem,
Recreational services and regulating
Research Area- Upper Mustang
Major Findings
1. Provisional services
(Food and Water)
Mainly yak & goat
Cereal crops, cash crops and vegetables, distillery,
Fuel wood, Timber, Dry leaves and fodders, Grassland
Water for irrigation, drinking, hydro-electricity, mills
2. Regulating services
(climate and natural hazards)
Maintenance of soil fertility;
Biodiversity;
Soil erosion, landslide, floods, droughts,
Purification of water and air,
Pest and disease control
3. Recreational services (Landscape, and social values)
Ancient caves, monasteries and unique geographical
structures and landscape
Tibetan culture; Tourism, trekking; Popular pilgrimage
locations
Key ESS in Upper Mustang
Practices combination of agriculture, livestock farming and winter trade followed by tourism
Major agricultural production : naked wheat, buckwheat, barley, potato, pulses, wheat and maize.
Major fruit : apple and apricot.
Major livestock : cow, goat, horse, jhopa and mule
Herbs: Yarsagumba, Panchaule, Jimbu
Only one crop a year in Upper Mustang and two crop a year in Central Mustang
Major Stresses on:
Irrigation water : Decreasing stream flow
Drinking water: Drying spring sources
Agricultural land
Pasture land: decreasing grass productivity
Livelihood
Climate change induced stress on water
Annual precipitation has increasing trend where as
winter precipitation has decreasing trend
Percentage of winter precipitation to annual is more
compare to other part of country
Yields of water sources found to be continuously
decreasing as accumulation of snowfall over the
watershed is decreasing
Water is sufficient only from June to August
A Case study: Dhakarjung and Phalyak Village
Common source of water- ‘Lumbhuk Stream’
Share water- 3 day for Phalyak and 2 day for Dhakarjung
Water collection pond at each village- to store water at night time and irrigate field at day time
Shifting farming practice
Barren Agricultural lands
Irrigation water pond Irrigation practice
Apple farming
Governance Two local leaders: Mukhiya (traditional) and Ward
Chairman (elected)
Mukhiya (village head) is more effective and major
decision maker at local level
VDC and DDC are the formal decision making
bodies
Presence of government and governance is lacking
Conclusion Agriculture and livestock rearing followed by tourism
and winter trading are major activities
Less water availability for irrigation, less manpower,
less knowledge on use of advance tools and technology,
low information on weather condition and climatic
variability , decrease on grassland on grazing area are
major problems
Improved agriculture practice might play crucial role on
poverty alleviation
Eco-tourism and trade have opened new avenues of
livelihood
Effective Mukhiya system has reduced the presence of
government and governance
Bridging between the governmental bodies and local
community is necessary
Thank You !!!!
