Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Activities in Garhwal Himalayas: A Comprehensive Analysis on Shifts, Changes and Adaptation Strategies

Abstract

Climate change is adversely affecting many facets of human lives, often varying with the magnitude and scale. The Himalayan environment is showing a perceived change in the climatic parameters and cryosphere response. The aim of the present study is to capture the community perceptions of climate change, and their approaches towards adaptation. A comprehensive field investigation was carried-out in the villages selected within the different elevation range, located in the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand. In the present study, 150 households were surveyed spreading over 25 villages. The analysis shows that most of the respondents (~95%) agreed, about the climate change through their responses, i.e. early and warm summer, short winter months and less snowfall.  The variability of precipitation pattern, declining soil fertility and poor yields were the major challenges in agriculture sector, the main source of livelihood of the communities. Traditionally, people are adapting with climatic extremities with adjusting crops Calander, use of improved and high-yielding variety seeds, fertilizer and used of herbicides and pesticides. The findings of the study can be used to prepare policy framework in the climate change adaptations in the Himalayan region.