Context:– Efficient climate change adaptation strategies are imperative for the HKH (Hindu Kush Himalayan) region. Governments have played a limited role in helping mountain communities of the Hindu Kush Himalayas adapt to climate change. According to a new report from International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
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About:
The Himalayan ecosystem, a complex interplay of geology, climate, and life, harbors numerous glaciers and rivers. It sustain billions downstream, however, climate change and human activities threaten this fragile ecosystem. Hindu Kush Himalayan glaciers exhibit a mean retreat rate ranging from 12.7±13.2 m/a to 20.2±19.7 m/a across river basins, impacting water resources, hydropower, and leading to flash floods and sedimentation.
The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) Region:
Spanning 3,500 km across eight countries from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east.
It is the source of large Asian river systems like the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra (Yarlungtsanpo), Irrawaddy, Salween (Nu), Mekong (Lancang), Yangtse (Jinsha), Yellow River (Huanghe), and Tarim (Dayan), and provides water, ecosystem services. It is also the basis for livelihoods to a population of around 240 million people in the region.
These river basins supply water to 1.9 billion people, a quarter of the world’s population.
Causes of Floods in the Himalayan Region:
- Unprecedented downpours exacerbated by erratic climate patterns.
- Unplanned riverbank constructions obstructing water flow and reducing river navigability.
- Diminished river capacity and compromised drainage systems inefficiently handling excess water.
Impacts of Hydropower Projects:
Increased frequency of disasters linked to hydropower projects amid the Himalayan region’s seismic activity, despite seismic risks, the proliferation of hydropower projects persists.
Solutions:
- Advocacy for spatial planning and nature-based solutions to bolster climate resilience in HKH cities.
- Furthermore urgent need for local governments to enforce strict town planning, integrating spatial land-use planning and technology for climate adaptation.
Conclusion:
Early warning systems are cost-effective shields against extreme weather in a swiftly changing climate, however, achieving global protection by 2027, as envisioned by the UN, remains a daunting task. Despite this vulnerable nations lack resources and technological advancements in disaster prediction. Balancing development and environmental conservation is critical for sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem in the mean these significant challenges posed by climate change and human activities.
Read Also: Hydropower and Irrigation Projects
