Enhancing community resilience again the impact of receding glaciers- a case of Lidder valley, Kashmir

Abstract

With increasing average temperature, the precipitation pattern is changing abruptly in the Lidder Valley, Kashmir. The amount, span, form, and nature of precipitation are reported to have changed remarkably over the years. This varying precipitation pattern is held accountable for the reduced time span of snow, reduction in the downstream water availability and shifting of agricultural practices within the valley. At the same time the residents of the valley lament about their changing socio-economic conditions which may be due to climate induced changes. The resident have self-adapted themselves for these untoward climatic conditions. The documentation of knowledge and aware of the critical issues of climate change which leads to reducing glaciers would help in understanding the concerns of residents. The changes in living patterns, behavioural changes of the people that are the first-hand observers of climate-induced changes would throw insights upon the aspects regarding community resilience for climate change that are required for the valley region. The aim is to develop strategic interventions and enhancing community resilience focusing on sustainable livelihood of people in Lidder Valley. The livelihood characteristic are perceived to be different from upstream to downstream depending upon the water availability from the River Lidder. These are needed to be researched, assessed, documented and improved with sufficient inputs from both qualitative & quantitative approaches and technical methods to make these feasible and practicable. The objective was to study the existing scenario of receding glaciers in Lidder Valley, Kashmir, for identifying the impacts on livelihoods, analysing the impacts of receding glaciers which helped in identifying the vulnerabilities. These objectives were achieved with the help of secondary data from various online sources, through primary surveys. Some of the techniques that were incorporated ranged from both qualitative and quantitative approaches including the spatial analyst and spatial statistical tools. The indicators for mapping vulnerability were identified through literature review and map of the Lidder to climate change was prepared by a weighted overlay of maps prepared for these indicators. The study through the analysis of residents experience, suggest various feasible interventions for enhancing community resilience and sustainable livelihood for the vulnerable communities of Lidder Valley.