People’s Perception on Climate Change, its Impact and Adaptive Strategies in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja, Nepal

Abstract

Climate change is the major, overriding environmental issue of our time, and the single greatest challenge facing decision makers at many levels. Without drastic action today, adapting to the impacts in the future will be more difficult and costly. Key informant interview, focus group discussion (n=7) and household survey (n=150) were undertaken to assess local peoples’ perception on Climate Change, its impact and adaptive strategies. Meteorological data from 1987 to 2017 were used to analyze climatic trends. These data shows that average temperature has increased from 1987-2017 by 0.0146 °C/yr. and annual rainfall has decreased from 1987-2017 by 0.6507 mm/yr. Majority of the respondents (56%) were unknown about climate change. Weather related disasters, mosquito/other insects, invasive species were found highly increased compared to before. The most common adaptation options include using weed control, compost manure, economic diversification, storage of energy, changing planting and harvesting date, crop diversification etc. However, lack of information concerning climate change, agricultural pests and diseases, lack of education, no access to sufficient seeds and fertilizers, no access to sufficient land, no access to credit were major constraints of adaptation and institutions such as School, Mother’s group and Rural Municipality, DFO, INGO like UNDP, WASH are assisting in Climate Change adaptation.