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Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Nomads to Changing Climate in the Third Pole Region of Nepal

Author

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  • Rijan Bhakta Kayastha

    (Himalayan Cryosphere, Climate and Disaster Research Center (HiCCDRC), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal)

  • Woo-Kyun Lee

    (Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea)

  • Nischal Shrestha

    (Himalayan Cryosphere, Climate and Disaster Research Center (HiCCDRC), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal)

  • Sonam Wangyel Wang

    (OJeong Resilience Institute and Key Research Institute (Project Third Pole), Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This study was performed in Nepal’s Langtang and Shey Phoksundo National Parks (NPs) to find out how vulnerable the nomads’ ways of making a living are to climate change. We interviewed 68 household heads between March and May 2022 to obtain information on 13 components and 46 indicators. The original data were backed up by an analysis of the published and unpublished literature that was available. A composite index was used to combine the data, and different vulnerabilities were compared. As nomads in both NPs rely mostly on natural resources for energy, water, and food, the findings revealed that land, energy, water, sanitation, and natural resources are the most important factors influencing nomads’ livelihood vulnerability in both NPs. Although herders in Shey Phoksundo NP suffered less loss as a result of climate change-related natural disasters, human–wildlife conflict was a major issue in both parks. Both the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) and LVI–IPCC suggested that both national parks were moderately vulnerable to climate change indicators. The results are likely to serve as empirical evidence for future strategies, such as implementing policy measures aimed at reducing the sensitivity of habitat conditions, increasing societal resilience, introducing sustainable livelihood alternatives, and improving individual stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Rijan Bhakta Kayastha & Woo-Kyun Lee & Nischal Shrestha & Sonam Wangyel Wang, 2023. "Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Nomads to Changing Climate in the Third Pole Region of Nepal," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:5:p:1105-:d:1152337
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Wang & Peijun Wang & Chunbo Zhu & Yue Wang & Zixiao Zhou, 2023. "Impact of Different Models of Relocating Coal Mining Villages on the Livelihood Resilience of Rural Households—A Case Study of Huaibei City, Anhui Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Peijun Wang & Jing Wang & Chunbo Zhu & Yan Li & Weijun Sun & Jinyi Li, 2023. "Factors Influencing Livelihood Resilience of Households Resettled from Coal Mining Areas and Their Measurement—A Case Study of Huaibei City," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Anar Baytelieva & Woo-Kyun Lee & Sonam Wangyel Wang & Aliya Iskakova & Gulnar Ziyayeva & Kenzhegali Shilibek & Nurakhmet Azatov & Nurzhan Zholamanov & Zhamalkhan Minarbekov, 2023. "Assessing the Vulnerability of Nomadic Pastoralists’ Livelihoods to Climate Change in the Zhetysu Region of Kazakhstan," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-26, November.

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