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An integrated approach for the identification and prioritization of areas based on their livelihood vulnerability index: a case study of agro-pastoral community from Western Indian Himalaya

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Abstract

Recent changes in climatic conditions are expected to intensify the existing risk of hunger and malnutrition along with the vulnerability of livelihood in the developing nations, more so on the fragile Hindu-Kush Himalaya. Many communities in this region subsist on agro-pastoral practices, which hinge upon seasonal rhythmic cooperative farming and traditional knowledge associated with these practices. With the rapid change in socio-cultural practices coupled with changing climate, agro-pastoral production has declined in many areas. Hill farming cannot resist even a small degree of disturbance as steep slopes and terrain conditions already limit hill agriculture’s capacity. However, quantitative information in these aspects is lacking. Livelihood vulnerability assessment methods have emerged as an important tool for the identification of areas requiring immediate intervention. The different results from different methods make it difficult for policymakers to prioritize areas requiring direct intervention. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the livelihood vulnerability of an agro-pastoral community viz. Barpatiyas of the western (Indian) Himalayan region by two widespread methods and suggest an integrated approach for prioritization for interventions. The vulnerability assessment in the current study was broadly based on the IPCC’s definition of vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Of 832 households in 13 villages, 303 households were interviewed to assess their livelihood vulnerability due to climate change and its socio-cultural impact. Analysis of data reveals that the households located at lower altitudes are more at risk of vulnerability than settlements at higher altitudes in the Himalaya. The agro-pastoral-based livelihood was most vulnerable due to natural calamities, followed by water security, climatic stress and social networks. The observed patterns were complex and interlinked such as their remote habitations. A lack of linear infrastructure causes a high rate of out-migration, which further causes the loss of their traditional knowledge. High dependence of the community for livelihood on the climate-sensitive system such as agriculture and increased exposure to natural disasters is noticeable. Implications of the findings are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the local people of the study area who shared their valuable experiences and knowledge with us during the study. Finally, we thank the editors and the reviewers of this paper for their helpful and constructive comments.

Funding

The research reported in this manuscript was funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Climate Change Programme (CCP), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India (grant number PAC-SES-DST-12141219-863 dated 03.06.2015) and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

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  1. Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India

    Naveen Chandra Joshi & G. S. Rawat

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Both N.C.J. and G.S.R. contributed to the design and implementation of the research. N.C.J. developed the theoretical formalism, collected data and performed the analytic calculations. GSR revised the manuscript. Both N.C.J. and G.S.R. authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript. G.S.R. supervised the project.

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Correspondence to Naveen Chandra Joshi.

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Research fields: Biodiversity Conservation, Documentation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge Systems, Community Ecology, Sustainable Development Practices and Adaptation to Climate Change

Research fields: Eco-floristic studies in the Himalayan region, Impacts of climate change on Himalayan Ecosystems, Ecology and management of high-altitude rangelands, Wildlife Habitat Ecology and Documentation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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Joshi, N.C., Rawat, G.S. An integrated approach for the identification and prioritization of areas based on their livelihood vulnerability index: a case study of agro-pastoral community from Western Indian Himalaya. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 26, 27 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-021-09962-5

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