National Mission on Himalayan Studies state level roundtable for Leh, Ladakh (J&K) stakeholder consultation on 'Climate Change and Water Management in Ladakh: Understanding Mountain Peoples’ approach and practices to combating climate change in the Himalayan region' was held on May 31 at DIHAR campus, Leh.

The day was organized by Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) in collaboration with DIHAR, Leh.

Gyal P Wangyal, EC Forest stressed on the need to have such deliberations to discuss important issues like climate change and water management.

 

He said that the present council has prioritized agricultural sector in their agenda of development. He informed that soon the fund under Prime Minister Krishi Sinchai Yojana will get sanctioned and a large part of water-related problems will get solved in the district.

Promoting advance farming in the district, Gyal P Wangyal emphasized on taking initiatives and making efforts in going organic. He said that collaborative efforts of villages and NGOs can contribute immensely in achieving the goal of sustainable mountain development and also stressed on an increasing green area and forest cover in the district. 

He assured full support of Hill Council in supporting such efforts at policy levels and praised the young local scientists and researchers for their work.

Rinchen Dolma, State nodal agent, IMI NMHS Project in J&K said that the project has been implemented by IMI under ‘National Mission on Himalayan Studies’ in all the 12 mountain states.  One young researcher from each state is selected to work on three best practices from the respective state or region linking climate change to sustainable development, create awareness, communicate sectorial learning and best practices, and build the capacity of stakeholders to identify ways for up-scaling across mountain states. 

She added that the project aims to provide policy recommendations to existing gaps in a climate inclusive planning by integrating indigenous knowledge and initiatives within the state for climate adaptation. And also to achieve resilience in priority sectors vulnerable to climate change and strengthening the role and contribution of mountain communities for development. 

          

In the first session, Narata Rawat from IMI and Neha Bharti from TERI, Delhi spoke about Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) and project. 

The other speakers were Tsering Dorjey (Dongbos) on Traditional methods of water management, Tsewang Dolma on Impact of climate variability on land use and livelihood in Changthang and Nubra, Dr. Tsering Stobdan on Agriculture in Ladakh: Challenges and Opportunities and Tsering Dolkar, Reporter Stawa, the young researcher for J&K on her first case study on Churpon system. 

Discussion on the threats and challenges of climate change and water scarcity and two case studies on best practices from Ladakh were also carried out.

O.P. Chaurasia, Director, DIHAR, Councilors Phyang and Martselang constituency, Padmashree awardee Norphel, district officers, heads and representatives from SKUAST, CAZRI, various NGOs, scientists, filmmakers, nambarders, agriculturists and researchers of DIHAR were present.