As we all know that climate change is a global emerging issue and has adversely affected in different sectors (human health, agriculture and food security, general livelihood, forest and biodiversity, water sources, infrastructure and development, rainfall and livelihood etc.). In order to adapt and mitigate climate change impact, the Government of Nepal has introduced climate change policy 2076, National Adaptation Plan 2021-2050 and Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA). Building on all these national level policies and plans, the government has prioritized local adaptation plan of action. In the global scenario, Nepal ranks in 4th position in climate vulnerability. In addition to that, higher mountainous region is more vulnerable owing to fragile environment and higher rate of rise in temperature. Against this backdrop, a community based vulnerability assessment was carried out in ward no 1 of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality to identify and point out the vulnerability magnitude and their adopting capacity. This assessment showed that climate change has adversely affected the local communities of the Ward, especially in the sector of livelihood. Taking into account the impacts of climate change on livelihood, REED Nepal supported 16 climate vulnerable households of the ward under EYCI project through livelihood support activities (organic vegetable farming and goat farming) to adapt with the impact of climate change. These households almost exclusively comprise Dalit and marginalized groups and were selected in close participation of elected representatives of the ward. REED Nepal supported a total of 10 households for undertaking organic vegetable farming with plastic tunnels and vegetable seeds. A total of 6 households were provided support for goat farming. The support was provided for building predator proof pen and training to enhance skill. The selected vulnerable households were supported for goat farming with NPR.40000 each. These households started to generate income and has increased the numbers of goat kept. Besides it, they have been discouraged for open grazing in forests areas and motivated for biodiversity conservation which ultimately helps to conserve the forest and reduce the emission.
The organic vegetable farming groups are continuously growing up varieties of vegetables in their plastic tunnels without use of any chemical pesticides and applying green manure. On an average, an individual household made an earning of NPR.5000-8000 by selling vegetables to local market. This has contributed to their livelihood improvement. On other hand, the reduction and minimization of use of chemical pesticides has directly and indirectly helped in minimization of production of greenhouse gases and ultimately contributing to climate change adaptation. Besides, generated incomes were utilized for the education of their children.
In addition to this, in order to generate general awareness on climate change and environment conservation, REED Nepal supported 14 schools of the region to orient teachers on climate change, orient school children. In all the supported schools, eco clubs of students were formed and these clubs were supported to form action plans and undertake identified activities in the plans. Plantation was done in 2 ha in two sites through these eco clubs in participation with the local communities.
