Perception of climate change from the Himalayan ‘cold desert’ Ladakh, India

Abstract

Climate change perception survey is a method designed to gain insights on people’s perspectives of the changing climate and recognizing important factors, complexities, and limitations towards a climate-conscious conduct. Such surveys are particularly important in ecologically sensitive transitional climatic zones but logistically difficult terrains, where meteorological data is scarce and minor changes in climatic parameters can have unanticipated consequences for the local ecosystem. The current research is focused on one of such climate-sensitive areas, in the northwestern Himalaya. A binary question-based survey (interview) was conducted in the high-altitude, cold desert region – Ladakh, which covered all the five subdivisions of the union territory. According to the climate perception data, the majority of respondents are aware of climate change or global warming regardless of age, gender, and background. The exponential growth in tourist inflow over the last two decades (attributed to ‘war tourism’) equates with the increasing number of vehicles and is well perceived by the locals. Approximately 86 percent of respondents believe that humans have had a negative impact on the environment. They appear to be quite optimistic about curbing the effects of climate change, with approximately 91 percent willing to participate in mitigation efforts. The results of this study show an overall agreement between people’s perceptions of climate change and the scientific evidence of these changes. These findings are eventually intended to serve as an important parameter in developing adaptation and mitigation strategies in this ecologically sensitive and vulnerable region.

Climate change, water and agriculture linkages in the upper Indus basin: A field study from Gilgit-Baltistan and Leh-Ladakh

“…Nr, not reported; Source: Field notes. decreasing trends in snowfall and increasing trend in rainfall with the rise in elevation caused due to temperature increase Wang et al, 2016;Ali et al, 2022;Dong and Ming, 2022;Moazzam et al, 2022) and shortening of winter months. In Hushey and study sites in Leh-Ladakhlocal people reported a decrease in average snowfall and rainfall (except rainfall in very high-altitude site in Leh-Ladakh).…”

“…In Tissar village of Gilgit-Baltistan, cloudburst induced flash flood in 2014 eroded around 20% agricultural land, and nearly 80% of this damaged land is still barren. At least five major flood events have been reported over the last decade in Leh-Ladakh (Ali et al, 2022). Among them, the cloudburst induced flood in 2010 washed away the trees and bridges and damaged the houses.…”