Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Nomads to Changing Climate in the Third Pole Region of Nepal

Abstract

This study was performed in Nepal’s Langtang and Shey Phoksundo National Parks (NPs) to find out how vulnerable the nomads’ ways of making a living are to climate change. We interviewed 68 household heads between March and May 2022 to obtain information on 13 components and 46 indicators. The original data were backed up by an analysis of the published and unpublished literature that was available. A composite index was used to combine the data, and different vulnerabilities were compared. As nomads in both NPs rely mostly on natural resources for energy, water, and food, the findings revealed that land, energy, water, sanitation, and natural resources are the most important factors influencing nomads’ livelihood vulnerability in both NPs. Although herders in Shey Phoksundo NP suffered less loss as a result of climate change-related natural disasters, human–wildlife conflict was a major issue in both parks. Both the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and LVI–IPCC suggested that both national parks were moderately vulnerable to climate change indicators. The results are likely to serve as empirical evidence for future strategies, such as implementing policy measures aimed at reducing the sensitivity of habitat conditions, increasing societal resilience, introducing sustainable livelihood alternatives, and improving individual stability.

Impact of Different Models of Relocating Coal Mining Villages on the Livelihood Resilience of Rural Households—A Case Study of Huaibei City, Anhui Province

“…The complexity and diversity of disturbances, the variety of influencing factors on livelihood resilience, and the breadth of studies collectively contribute to the complexity and diversity of adaptive strategies for livelihood resilience. International studies on livelihood resilience predominantly concentrate on disruptions caused by natural disasters [19,20], climate change [21], food security [22], policy changes [23,24], and other related contexts. Domestically, scholars have primarily focused on the following three areas: (i) empirical research on livelihood resilience in regions characterized by poverty, ecological vulnerability, and tourism from the perspective of household livelihoods [25,26]; (ii) linking livelihood resilience with themes such as poverty alleviation, relocation, urbanization, or land consolidation; exploring their interrelationships; and using enhanced livelihood resilience to achieve poverty alleviation and reduction and sustainable migration outcomes [27,28]; (iii) analyzing the spatial dimension of livelihood resilience [29][30][31].…”

Factors Influencing Livelihood Resilience of Households Resettled from Coal Mining Areas and Their Measurement—A Case Study of Huaibei City

“…First proposed by ecologists like Chambers in the early 1990s [11], livelihood resilience refers to the ability of communities or families to cope with and absorb changes, thus adapting their livelihood patterns to these changes and challenges [12]. In recent years, there has been a growing number of studies on livelihood resilience, with research expanding and focusing on concepts [13][14][15], evaluations [16][17][18], influencing factors [19][20][21][22], and adaptive strategies [23][24][25][26]. Most international research has focused on livelihood resilience under disturbances such as natural disasters [27][28][29], climate change [30][31][32][33], food security [34,35], and policy changes [36,37].…”

Assessing the Vulnerability of Nomadic Pastoralists’ Livelihoods to Climate Change in the Zhetysu Region of Kazakhstan

“…This acceleration is expected to result in more frequent and severe natural disasters, accompanied by emerging threats such as rising sea levels, glaciers melting, and diminishing water resources [1]. Current climatic shocks and pressures have already exerted a substantial impact on the vulnerability of households, especially those in rural areas [3].…”