Title : Climate change and its impacts on rural areas of central himalaya: Some experiences from almora district, uttarakhand, india.
Abstract:
Himalaya is one of the most sensitive as well as fragile parts of the earth. It is the newest as well as the highest mountain system too. In order of their origin Himalayas are divided into three parallel ranges. In a sequence from north to south, they are known as great Himalaya, lesser Himalaya and Shivalik (outer most) respectively. The middle part of this lofty mountain also known as Central Himalaya. This part is the most populous region of the Himalayas. In this region, the impression of human and his work is visible from the prehistoric period. Thus, Central Himalaya is the focal point of culture and civilization since ancient time.
Likewise, the other parts of the globe Himalayas are also facing human induced climate change. Himalayan glaciers are retreating. According to a data, the retreatment rate of Gangotri glacier, origin of river Ganga, is 19 meter per year. For the past few years, this part of the Himalayas has been affected from erratic rainfall and rise in temperature. Forest fire disaster is very common in throw-out the year. As a result of this water scarcity is very common in past few years. Agricultural system is also affected, even in some areas people are not growing the wheat crop because of lack of rainfall in winter season. It is a well-known fact that climate change has severely affected the poor countries and their people. In rural areas of the central Himalayas, people who are not capable to earn much for their livelihood, they have become completely dependent on the food grains given by the government. People are forced to migrate in big cities where they lead a low standard of living due lack of resource.
Present paper is based upon the observations of local people. A series of interview is taken from senior citizen living in villages. These people have their own indigenous knowledge. They utilised this knowledge in agriculture and conducting their daily life. They talk about the agricultural production which they used to grow in their fields. In recent past entire system is changed due to the change in weather cycle. The present paper also discusses the impacts of climatic change in culture, traditions and lifestyle in rural Himalaya. The paper also traces out the situation of out -migration in the research area due to the poor situation of agriculture. The present paper will help in understand how developing societies are facing problems due to climate change.
Keywords: Central Himalaya, Climate Change, Migration, Indigenous Knowledge.
