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The Himalayan Water Towers: Science and Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change

The Himalayan Water Towers: Science and Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change. Receding of glaciers. 1956 photograph of Imja glacier (Photo: Fritz Muller; courtesy of Jack Ives). 2006 photograph of Imja glacier (Photo: Giovanni Kappenberger courtesy of Alton C Byers). CORONA 15 DEC 1962.

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The Himalayan Water Towers: Science and Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change

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  1. The Himalayan Water Towers: Science and Policy for Adaptation to Climate Change

  2. Receding of glaciers 1956photograph of Imja glacier (Photo: Fritz Muller; courtesy of Jack Ives) 2006photograph of Imja glacier(Photo: Giovanni Kappenberger courtesy of Alton C Byers)

  3. CORONA 15 DEC 1962 IRS LISS3 2005 LANDSAT TM 1992 During the last 50 yearsGrowing Glacial Lakes

  4. Glaciers: Loss of Ice mass • Himalayan glaciers are shrinking more rapidly than elsewhere

  5. Lacking data Himalaya: A Blank Spot in IPCC AR4

  6. Mountains are neglected Under-representation of Meteorological Stations in high Himalaya

  7. Issues for Reducing the Scientific Uncertainty • Marginalization of mountain systems by governments and donors • Weak institutions lead to project approach • Adaptation to climate change calls for trans boundary approaches • Difficult regional cooperation

  8. Koshi Floods Breach point Koshi barrage

  9. Satellite rainfall estimation by NOAA on 16th August 2008

  10. Potentially dangerous glacial lakes and hydropower stations in the Koshi Basin

  11. Adaptation takes place:Community forestry Dandapakhar Community Forest of Sindupalchowk in 1975 and in 1994

  12. Adaptation takes place:Watershed development Indigenous farmers knowledge as instrument to received the degraded land Landslide (1978) in Kakani and the recovered stage (1997

  13. Land Cover Change (Bramhaputra and Kosi basins) Total Change 3.7% (1970-2000) (+) shrubland (90%), bare areas (7%), cultivated land (3%) (-) snow cover (35%), grassland (17%), forest (48%) and water bodies (0.1%)

  14. A Way Forward • A better knowledge base: Research, data collection, monitoring • A more intensive regional cooperation: Data sharing, early warning systems, DRR, river basin focused observation and modeling • Adaptation: what is specific? • Up stream down stream relations. • Combination of Mitigation and adaptation (hydro, community forestry) • IWRM as analytical framework • Linkage with other policy areas (Globalization, Migration) • Strengthening Research and Institutions • Payment for environmental services • The deficit of the soft measures including governance

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