Strengthening responses to climate variability in south Asia. Discussion paper: Nepal
Abstract
This study is one of a series of regional studies which aim to present evidence of the interactions between environmental, social, political and economic risks at the local level in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Drawing on field-research and consultations with policy-makers, practitioners and academics, this case study seeks to identify obstacles to and opportunities for interventions to build resilience to interlinked environmental and security risks in fragile, post-conflict contexts in Nepal. The case study compares Rolpa, a district which is characterised by high vulnerability to drought and landslides, with Dang and Banke, which face ow/moderate exposure to climate change, to identify the different dimensions of resilience in these varying districts.
In order to understand local resilience, the case study aims to address two key questions:
1. What are the root causes of vulnerability (to climate and conflict risks)?
2. How can external adaptation interventions (by the state or international institutions) address these root causes of vulnerability?
Findings from this study point to the following as key priority areas to build resilience:
• Stronger communication between capital and local leaders to ensure greater awareness and effective implementation of national climate change plans and policies at the local level;
• Stronger local fund management mechanisms to ensure effectiveness of resilience building initiatives;
• Planning for how best to manage future migration in a peaceful way;
• Promoting an enabling environment for climate-sensitive business, where the private sector can play a key role in building resilience by promoting alternative climate-resilient livelihoods.
Citation
Pandey, N.; Vivekananda, J. Strengthening responses to climate variability in south Asia. Discussion paper: Nepal. International Alert, (2013) 44 pp.
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