Farmer’s Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation to Climate Change in North Western Himalayan Region

The present study was undertaken to assess the farmer’s vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in North Western Himalayan region. A sample of one hundred five farmers from foothills of Himalaya representing North Western Himalayan region, were purposively selected. Data were collected from the farmers using personal interview method and focused group discussion method. After data collection, it was analyzed using statistical tools like mean, standard deviation, frequency etc. Result showed that 76.19 and 52.38 per cent farmers felt that air pollution and industrialization were major cause of climate change respectively. Result also revealed that around 73 per cent of farmers had knowledge about climate change including pattern of parameters and its impact on agriculture while around 83 per cent of respondent farmers had perceived that local climate is changing. Majority (46.67%) of the farmers were in highly vulnerable category followed by moderately vulnerable category (31.43%). Migration, change in cropping pattern, selling of livestock, selling of trees from the field and working as casual labour were the main adaptive mechanism adopted by farmers in north western Himalayan region to cope up with the effects of climate change. Soil and water conservation measure through water harvesting structures like farm pond, drip and sprinkler irrigation, contour bund, loose boulder check dam, vegetative bund, nala bund, recharge pit and check dam were constructed at the farmers field with the financial support of government. The findings of the present study would be very helpful in making soil and water conservation related strategies at farmers’ field in North West Himalayan Region to cope with climate change in the region.