Local responses to too much and too little water in the greater Himalayan region
Strong social capital among the communites in Mulkhow of information about products/services, and complex
has kept alive the centuries-old traditional resource procedures, limit the widespread use of this option.
management systems. However, in Shishkoh, in some Limited access to markets for labour, business, and other
instances, conflict over common resources has divided sources of income generation prevents diversification of
the communities into rival groups, weakening the social livelihoods.
networks and resulting in forest degradation.
Government policies and governance – The lack of
Traditional knowledge and systems – Traditional proper implementation of policies and poor governance
knowledge and systems are inherent in the communities limit the capacity of people to adapt to extreme events.
of Chitral, but with the passage of time, these traditional For example in Shishikoh, large-scale forest harvesting
systems have been eroding. The systems are still very by the government through contractors is making the
strong in Mulkhow and play a vital role in strengthening locals more vulnerable to flash floods. Similarly, in the
the adaptive capacities of the communities. The absence of a policy on land settlement and use, the
traditional water distribution and management system communities are constructing their houses in areas that
not only ensures optimum utilisation of meagre water were hit previously by flash floods. Limited investment
resources but also promotes collective action for the by the government in social (health, education) and
difficult maintenance, which is key for sustainability of economic (energy, employment, access to market)
adaptation strategies. sectors is another factor that prevents the communities
from building their adaptive capacities.
Economic situation – The capacity to adapt to the
climate variability and extreme weather events depends
highly on the economic condition of the communities.
Conclusions, Recommendations, and
Economically well-off households with multiple sources of
Policy Implications
income are more resilient to the adverse affect of climate
Climate induced hazards in the form of flash floods and
variability as they have better access to quality health
water scarcity have negatively affected the livelihoods
services, educational institutions, and employment.
of the inhabitants of the study areas. Negative impacts
Households whose livelihoods are based solely on
of extreme events are evident in the form of depletion
natural resources are affected more by the climate-
of water resources, loss of agricultural land, poor
induced hazards, which may result in maladaptive
agricultural productivity, loss of livestock, and destruction
practices such as selling off livestock, valuable assets,
of the meagre physical infrastructure. Extreme events have
and lands; or further exploitation of forests; that make
also increased the workload, limited the social lives, and
them more vulnerable.
created poor health and hygiene conditions for women.
The prevailing gender roles further exacerbate these
Role of NGOs – In the relative absence of government
impacts and make the women more vulnerable.
investment in the development of the area, NGOs are
playing a key role in the socioeconomic development
The long history of drought and flash floods in Chitral
of the communities, which enhances their adaptive
has equipped local communities with the knowledge
capacities. However, in some communities, especially
and skills to cope with changing, climate-induced
Shishikoh, cultural traditions prohibit the participation
situations. Traditional water management, pooling of
of women in public spaces, which prevents them from
resources, crop diversification, traditional livestock
accessing development interventions undertaken by
management, and migration are major responses to
NGOs that stipulate the participation of women as a
these water hazards. These indigenous mechanisms
requirement for implementation of development activities.
focus mostly on reducing vulnerability to climate hazards
In Mulkhow, the educated youth have played a key role
through effective and efficient utilisation of resources.
in mobilising communities to work with NGOs.
The major factors affecting adaptation were identified as
Isolation and poor geographical access – Communities
strong social capital, existence of traditional knowledge
in the study area are hindered in their adaptive capacity
and systems, economic situation, isolation and poor
by the geographic isolation that limits their access to the
geographical access, acceptance of or resistance to
information and technical skills necessary to diversify
NGOs, and government policies and governance.
their livelihoods. For example, microfinance is used as
Livelihood strategies traditionally used to reduce climate
an effective coping and adaptation strategy among
risks can enhance resilience to water stress as long as
many communities, but limited physical access, lack
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