The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, spanning an area of 4.2 million sq km across eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – is under severe stress due to the effects of climate change. This region serves as a critical source of livelihood for nearly 1.65 billion people living in downstream areas, who directly benefit from its resources, particularly its river basins.
Challenges Facing the HKH Region
- The region is experiencing biodiversity loss due to factors such as land use change, habitat loss, pollution, and the effects of climate change.
- According to evidence presented in the ICIMOD assessment report, around 25% of unique species in the Indian Himalayas are at risk of extinction by 2100!
- Climate change effects are causing shifts in weather patterns, with more extreme heat events, warmer nights, and increased heavy rainfall.
- Melting glaciers in the HKH region pose serious threats of floods and landslides, with glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) becoming a growing concern.
- Changes in river flow patterns could affect irrigation, hydropower, and ecosystem services, particularly before the monsoon.
- Air pollution, originating from nearby regions, is worsening in the HKH area, accelerating ice melt and altering rainfall patterns.
Cost of Climate-Driven Disasters:
- The HKH region is prone to natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, made worse by climate change. The 2013 floods in Uttarakhand, exemplify the devastating impact of extreme weather events in the region.
- The massive flood of the Teesta River in Sikkim, another horrendous example of GLOF, proves to us yet again how easily nature has the power to flatten everything in its wake.
- Climate change poses a significant threat to the HKH region, with rising global temperatures leading to glaciers receding at an alarming rate.
Importance of the HKH Region
- The HKH spans 3,500 km across eight countries and is home to about 250 million people. Approximately 1.65 billion people rely on the rivers originating from the HKH for their water needs.
- Often referred to as the world's 'third pole,' the HKH contains the most ice outside of the Antarctic and Arctic regions.
Recommendations and Solutions
- Countries in the HKH region need to work together more closely to protect their mountains and promote sustainable development.
- Urgent action is needed at national, regional, and international levels to mitigate the impacts of climate change and sustain the region's resources.
- Balancing development and conservation is essential, particularly concerning the construction of hydropower projects in ecologically fragile areas.
- Empowering local communities through education, training, and access to resources can foster resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change and natural disasters.
Government Efforts in the HKH Region
- The 2019 HKH Assessment Report gives information to make policies that protect the HKH region.
- Initiatives like the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) are examples of efforts to tackle the unique environmental challenges of the HKH region.
- ICIMOD helps countries in the HKH region understand climate change and find ways to adapt.
Conclusion
The HKH region, home to 240 million people and a crucial water source for a quarter of the world's population, is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Urgent global action is essential to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity in this vulnerable region. Early warning systems, resilience-building initiatives, and inclusive strategies are critical components of efforts to combat climate-driven disasters and secure a sustainable future for the HKH region.
