Developing a Geospatial Methodology to Assess Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Traditional Economy in Bhutan (co-funded by the Commission for Development Research, Austria, 2014-15)

The increasing effects of Climate Change are evident worldwide. Mountains function as early indicators of climate change and play several special and significant roles in reflecting its effects on natural and human environments. Bhutan, classified as a least developed nation, is a landlocked small Himalayan country. More than 70 per cent population lives in rural areas and largely depends on subsistence cultivation mixed with animal husbandry. Only 3 to 4 per cent of total area is under cultivation. Most of the agricultural terraces have been carved on the steep slopes where crops largely depend on favourable weather conditions. Some terraces are situated in the lower parts of narrow valleys where irrigation is possible due to the availability of streams. Both types of terraces are vulnerable to climatic changes i.e. dry-hot weather reduces the agricultural production on the mountain-slope terraces and heavy run-off due to glacial melt and floods in the streams damages the valley terraces.

Geospatial data, techniques and methodologies are highly useful for identifying the indicators of climate change, modelling their impacts on the traditional economic activities and Geo-Visualising various scenarios. The development of various future scenarios of the holistic mountain environment of Bhutan including natural, human and socio-economic aspects requires integration of interdisciplinary approaches.

• From April 2014 to March 2015

• Developing a Geospatial Methodology to Assess Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Traditional Economy in Bhutan.
  

• assessing the nature and extent of climate change,
  
• analysing Land Use Land Cover patterns,
• modelling the impact scenarios of climate change on the traditional economy,
• identifying indicators of socio-economic development,
• formulating viable adaptation strategies to mitigate the sever impacts of climate change on the traditional economy and sustainable socio-economic development.

OUTCOMES (see the blog here)

The project outcomes include Physiographic Models, Natural and Climatic Factors Models, Land Use Land Cover change Models, Socio-Economic Change Models, Climate Change Impact Scenarios as well as recommendations for alternative Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Traditional Economy in Bhutan for sustainable socio-economic development.