Nepal, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, is facing increasing threats from climate change. Major contributing factors, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, glacier bursts, and unplanned urbanization, are accelerating environmental degradation. These changes are raising global temperatures, resulting in irregular seasonal cycles. The once-predictable monsoon is now erratic, bringing intense flooding, while other areas suffer drought.
The impact of climate change in Nepal is stark and widespread. Glaciers that once fed the rivers are melting rapidly, leading to flash floods, while parts of the country face severe water shortages. Unplanned urbanization, particularly in cities like Kathmandu, has created a ticking time bomb: inadequate drainage systems and poor city planning are leaving residents increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters like floods and landslides.
A Nation Reeling from Natural Disasters
Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it’s a growing humanitarian crisis in Nepal. The frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and droughts are on the rise. A recent example occurred between September 26 and 28, when torrential rains unleashed devastation across central and eastern Nepal. In just 24 hours, Kathmandu recorded 300 mm of rainfall, the heaviest in 54 years. By early October, the death toll had climbed to 236, with 35 lives lost to landslides in Dhading district alone. Over 4,000 people were rescued, but more than 5,000 were displaced, affecting a total of 10,000 individuals. The economic losses soared to over NPR 17 billion, with critical infrastructure and the agricultural sector taking the hardest hit. The floodwaters of the Saptakoshi River surged to levels not seen in half a century, further underscoring the urgency of addressing the climate crisis.
Nepal’s agriculture, tourism, and biodiversity are under serious threat. Climate change is altering the country’s ecological balance, making it imperative to find long-term, sustainable solutions to safeguard livelihoods and ecosystems.
Agrobiodiversity: A Path Forward
In the face of these growing challenges, one of the most promising long-term solutions is agricultural biodiversity. By preserving and promoting diverse crops and livestock suited to local environments, agricultural biodiversity offers a resilient approach to farming that can withstand the adverse impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
- Agricultural biodiversity involves the cultivation of a wide variety of crops, the protection of local livestock breeds, and the conservation of beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil fertility. This system provides numerous advantages for climate resilience:
- Increased Resilience: Diverse crops and farming methods create a more stable agricultural system that can better absorb shocks from climate events like droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.
- Enhanced Soil Health: A varied cropping system improves soil health and water retention, reducing the risk of erosion during heavy rains and mitigating drought by preserving soil moisture.
- Food Security: Even when certain crops fail due to changing weather patterns, a diverse farm can still provide enough food to sustain local communities, thus protecting them from famine.
- Carbon Sequestration: Biodiversity in agriculture helps store carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere and slowing the pace of climate change.
A Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
To harness the full potential of agricultural biodiversity, collective efforts are needed at the community, national, and international levels. Here’s how we can work together to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system:
- Promoting Indigenous Varieties: Encourage the cultivation of local and traditional crop varieties and livestock breeds that are well-adapted to specific environmental conditions. These varieties have evolved over generations to thrive in Nepal’s diverse ecosystems and can withstand extreme weather events better than imported species.
- Embracing Sustainable Practices: Techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping, and organic farming should be adopted widely. These practices not only increase biodiversity but also improve soil health and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
- Seed Saving and Exchange: Farmers should be encouraged to save seeds from their crops and exchange them with others, fostering the preservation of genetic diversity and the spread of resilient crop varieties.
- Preserving Traditional Knowledge: The farming wisdom of local communities, which has been passed down through generations, holds invaluable lessons for managing agricultural biodiversity. This knowledge must be protected and integrated into modern farming practices.
- Creating Habitat Diversity: Farms should be surrounded by diverse habitats that attract beneficial wildlife and pollinators, helping to maintain ecological balance and increase crop yields.
- Raising Awareness and Education: Farmers and communities need education on the importance of agricultural biodiversity and how it can be integrated into daily farming practices. Schools, universities, and local governments must collaborate to spread this knowledge.
- Supporting Research and Development: Investment in research is essential to develop and promote local crop varieties and sustainable farming technologies. Collaboration between scientists, farmers, and policymakers can lead to innovative solutions that are tailored to Nepal’s unique challenges.
- Advocating for Policy Support: Strong policies that promote agricultural biodiversity must be implemented at the national level. These policies should provide incentives for sustainable farming practices and support the preservation of traditional knowledge.
- Participating in Conservation Programs: Community involvement in local and national conservation efforts is critical. Farmers and community leaders should actively engage in programs aimed at restoring degraded land and protecting agricultural biodiversity.
- Reducing Chemical Use: The reduction of chemical fertilizers and pesticides will not only protect beneficial organisms but also improve soil health and promote biodiversity.
The Road Ahead
To fully harness the power of agricultural biodiversity, a united effort is needed—from local farmers to international organizations. Nepal must act swiftly and decisively to scale up these solutions, ensuring that our agriculture, economy, and communities can withstand the mounting pressures of climate change. Agricultural biodiversity is not just a tool for adaptation but a path to long-term sustainability.
We must push for stronger national and international cooperation for this strategy to be truly effective. Only through comprehensive action at every level can Nepal equip itself to face the challenges of a changing climate and ensure a more resilient, sustainable future for all.
