Socio-economic Dimension of Snow and Glacier Melt in the Nepal Himalayas

A mass balance analysis of the glaciers in the Nepal Himalayas has revealed that there have been accelerated retreats of glaciers causing widespread adverse impacts on the ecosystem, environment and economy in Nepal. The decreasing water storage in the mountain due to snow and glacier melt has created additional threats to already fragile and vulnerable mountain communities. The people and ecosystem in the mountain and foot hills are already under immense pressure from growing economic development. Climate change is putting additional pressure on the lives and livelihoods of the mountain people and on the ecosystem they depend upon. Studies have revealed that the majority of the glaciers in Nepal Himalayas are already retreating so rapidly that even without any further warming; most of them will disappear by the end of this century. This may result in decreased melt-water contribution to total water availability, particularly during dry seasons. The hydropower and irrigation sector, which are already under stress during non-monsoon seasons, will be badly affected. Though the annual decrease in per capita water availability due to warming may not be very much significant, the seasonal effect of the warming particularly during non-monsoon season is substantial. This will have major adverse impact to economy and society of Nepal. Particularly, the poor, marginalized, subsistence farmers and those living on natural system will face the largest adverse impact.