Impact of climate change and anthropogenic interventions on natural vis-à-vis human resources in Kashmir, India – An overview

Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today and it has the potential to create havoc with the agrarian livelihoods across the globe. Therefore, this paper attempts to explain the probable impacts of human induced climate change on natural resources in Kashmir, India. An ample amount of literature was reviewed meticulously to ascertain the impacts of climatic variability on natural resources vis-a-vis agriculture, biodiversity and water bodies as well as other common issues related to human resources in Kashmir. Loss of certain indigenous food varieties (i.e. nick cheena), reduction in natural forest cover (less than 11%) and loss of important water resources has aggravated the already dilapidated situation in this most vulnerable state of India. Scientific evidences revealed that there will be more devastating climatic effects on natural resources in Kashmir- India, which will fall disproportionately on poor communities, particularly dry land farmers, forest dwellers and fishermen of the state.

How Do Marginal and Small Farmers Perceive the Impacts of Climate Change on Livelihoods? A Case Study from Jammu Region, India

“…Jammu and Kashmir which nestles in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem are particularly vulnerable to climate change (State Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC), 2014). Climate change impacts are evident in Jammu and Kashmir in the form of erratic rainfall and snowfall, snow tsunamis, floods, rising temperatures, loss of glaciers, water bodies, and depletion of biological diversity (Ishtiyak et al, 2016;Murtaza & Romshoo, 2016). Jammu and Kashmir is the 3 rd most vulnerable state to climate change in the Indian Himalayan region.…”