|
Dhakal, MP; Ali, A; Khan, MZ; Wagle, N; Shah, GM; Maqsood, MM; Ali, A 'Agricultural Water Management Challenges in the Hunza River Basin: Is a Solar Water Pump an Alternative Option?*.' In Irrigation and Drainage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2563.
Glacier- and snowmelt- based irrigation systems in the Upper Indus Basin of Pakistan are facing several challenges due to climate and other drivers of change. Hence, exploring potential options for overcoming the challenges and irrigating arable barren land could lead to economic prosperity and environmental gains. We conducted a literature review, stakeholder consultation, and semi-structured questionnaire survey in two villages of the Hunza River basin to synthesize information in different domains. We collected information on the irrigation system and its sources, water distribution/allocation system, and challenges and adaptation strategies, and we established an alternative irrigation technological package to overcome the challenges and irrigate barren land. We piloted a customized solar water lifting pump with an efficient micro-irrigation package, which proved to be climate resilient. The system is simple to adopt, uses clean energy for operation, and is economically feasible, with a benefit–cost ratio of 4.96 and a payback period of around 11 years.
Pradhan, NS; Das, PJ; Gupta, N; Shrestha, AB (2021). 'Sustainable Management Options for Healthy Rivers in South Asia: The Case of Brahmaputra.' In Sustainability 13: 1087.
The Brahmaputra is one of the largest river systems of South Asia, providing life-supporting services to about 70 million people. Although hydrological connectivity is intact in most of the river's main course, infrastructure development plans may convert the Brahmaputra to a predominantly managed river system. In this regard, we examine the physiographic, ecological, hydrological, and socioeconomic status of the river; its transnational basin in South Asia; and the basin population in a cross-cutting context to explore its sustainable management options. An integrated management mechanism among the basin countries is needed for equitable benefit sharing, disaster risk management, and resilience building. The suggested strategies will help in maintaining the ecohydrological health and utilitarian services of the river for the socioeconomic development of millions of poor and marginalized people living in the basin.
Thapa, S; Hussain, A (2021). 'Climate Change and High-Altitude Food Security: A Small-Scale Study from the Karnali Region in Nepal.' In Climate and Development: 1-12 DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2020.1855099.
Tuladhar, S; Pasakhala, B; Maharjan, A; Mishra, A (2021). 'Unravelling the Linkages of Cryosphere and Mountain Livelihood Systems: A Case Study of Langtang, Nepal.' In Advances in Climate Change Research DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2020.12.004.
In this study, we explore linkages between the cryosphere and high-mountain livelihoods using a social‒ecological system approach. We examine how the complex social‒ecological system in villages in Langtang Valley, Nepal, has evolved in response to both cryospheric and socioeconomic changes. The local communities perceive gradual but significant changes in the cryospheric system. Communities are also facing socioeconomic changes, resulting in changing aspirations. We analyse the growing disconnection between society and the surrounding cryosphere, with direct impacts on the transfer and growth of local knowledge systems. These simultaneous changes in the cryosphere and the socioeconomic domain have resulted in a homogenization of livelihood sources, increased imports of food, and an emerging lack of risk reduction strategy. Interventions pertaining to diversifying livelihoods, harmonizing social capital, and hazard risk assessment are essential for strengthening linkages between cryosphere and the socioeconomic system.
Ali, G; Abbas, S; Qamer, FM; Wong, MS; Rasul, G; Irteza, SM; Shahzad, N (2021). 'Environmental Impacts of Shifts in Energy, Emissions, and Urban Heat Island During the Covid-19 Lockdown across Pakistan.' In Journal of Cleaner Production 291: 125806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.125806.
Fang, Y-P; Zhu, R; Zhang, C-J; Rasul, G; Neupane, N (2020). 'Cascading Adaptation of Rural Livelihood to Changing Environment: Conceptual Framework and Experiment from the Koshi River Basin.' In Advances in Climate Change Research 11: 141-157 DOI: 10.1016/j.accre.2020.05.005.
Wangchuk, K; Darabant, A; Nirola, H; Wangdi, J; Gratzer, G (2021). 'Climate Warming Decreases Plant Diversity but Increases Community Biomass in High-Altitude Grasslands.' In Rangeland Ecology & Management 75: 51-57 DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2020.11.008.
Din, JU; Nawaz, MA; Norma-Rashid, Y; Ahmad, F; Hussain, K; Ali, H; Hasan Adli, DS (2020). 'Ecosystem Services in a Snow Leopard Landscape: A Comparative Analysis of Two High-Elevation National Parks in the Karakoram–Pamir.' In Mountain Research and Development 40. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-19-00047.1
|
