Participatory vulnerability assessment of climate vulnerabilities and impacts in Madi Valley of Chitwan district, Nepal

Abstract

The severity of climate change impacts is observable and devastating at the local level, especially among the poor and ethnic people settled in the marginal and ecologically fragile areas, because of their least adaptive capacities and resilience. Thus, it is crucial to understand the local climatic risks, vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities to develop appropriate coping and adaptation strategies. However, the reliable climate data and information are not available at local level because of few meteorological stations. Therefore, this study has concentrated on participatory approaches to assess and analyze the climate vulnerabilities and impacts, needs and priorities of the community in Madi valley of Chitwan district. The study has applied participatory tools in the focus group discussions in the valley with a total of 112 participants. The communities in the study site observed flood, drought and riverbank erosion are the most severe climatic threats to them with different intensities based on age, caste, class, gender and sectors. They, further, perceived that wildlife attacks from Chitwan National Park are more dangerous as they affect their livelihoods throughout the year, though more severe in crop harvesting time. The farmers perceived natural and policy factors are highly influential in causing climate change. The major adaptation interventions found in the valley are afforestation and early warning siren and evacuation tower that the communities believe comparatively effective than others.