GeoM-4-CCAS

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)

INTRODUCTION

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.


DURATION:
  • From April 2014 to March 2015
OBJECTIVE
  • Developing a Geospatial Methodology to Assess Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Traditional Economy in Bhutan.
This will be achieved through the following processes:
  • 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.
ACTIVITIES

PARTNERS

 Coordinator Institution
AUSTRIA:
 - Interfaculty Department of Geoinformatics - Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Salzburg

 Partner Institutions


AUSTRIA:
 - Commission for Development Research, Vienna
 - Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research, Vienna


BHUTAN:
 - 
College of Natural Resources (CNR), Royal University of Bhutan, Thimphu
 
- Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, Kanglung

 Associate Institutions
BHUTAN:
 - Ministry of Agriculture
, Government of Bhutan, Thimphu

NEPAL:
 - International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu


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.


Contact: Dr. Shahnawaz, Interfaculty Department of Geoinformatics - Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Austria