The document summarizes the findings of a field study conducted in Nepal's Koshi river basin to understand the impacts of climate change and disasters. Key findings include increased temperatures, changes in crop production, more frequent disasters, and shifts in wildlife habitats. Communities reported impacts on livelihoods and concerns about climate trends. Next steps proposed include awareness campaigns, community-based disaster management, developing early warning systems, and building community resilience.

1. KOSHI TRANSECT WALK FIELD REPORT
Ajay Chandra Lal
Facilitator, climate induced disaster TWG
Practical Action, Nepal
Background
Nepal is predominantly a mountainous country situated in the central part of the Himalayas
between 26022’ and 30027’ N latitudes and 80004’ and 88012’ E longitudes, covering an area of
147,181 sq. km and divided broadly into three topographic regions, viz Himalayas (High Mountains),
Hill the Tarai plains. The country experiences a wide range of climatic variations from the sub-
tropical to the Alpine type as the elevation varies from 67 meters (m) above sea level to 8,848 m
(world’s highest mountain peak, Mt Everest) within a span of aboutj 200 km. It also experiences
heavy rains during monsoon season (June to September) due to the south-westerly wind from bay of
Bengal, which accounts for 80% of the total rainfall. The average annual rainfall of the country is
about 1,530 millimeters (mm). But there are sharp spatial and temporal variations in rainfall. The
character and pattern of rainfall varies drastically both north south and east west. The intensity of
rainfall is more intense in east than west; however individual event may not follow the trend
resulting into drought or flood. The minimal variation in climate can result into unaccounted types
and degrees of catastrophe to the people, bio diversity and other components of our living
environment.
The previous study has shown that Nepal is the 6th most vulnerable country in the world due to
climate change mainly by virtue of its locations in young Himalayas with more than 6000 rivers. In no
way, Nepal can be out of the consequences of climate change. Therefore, it is utmost important to
develop appropriate coping mechanisms and adaptations. In this background, National Action
Programme of Actions (NAPA) is being prepared with the support of LDCF. NAPA is pre requisite to
avail the fund from GEF to finance the capacity building programmes at community as well as at
national level.
Transect Survey Approach:
This approach stratifies the study area or object in different group as per its homogeneous
characteristics. For the climate change study, Nepal has been divided into three transect as per
macro hydro basin concept ie Karnali basin, Gandaki Basin and Koshi Basin. For further better
representation, each basin has been stratified into three sub transect as per the topography and
land form ie Terai, Hill and Mountain. This approach is used basically to study whole area within
given timeframe and resources without affecting the outcome of the study. This technique has been
used to study the implications of climate change at local level along with the coping mechanisms and
adaptations adopted by local people. This study also outlines the local know how and experiences
about the climate change, its impact on livelihood and response of the people towards the impacts.
I was part of an eighteen member study team in Koshi Transect. This transect represents the area
within the Koshi basin. The filed study started at Biratnagar sub metropolitan city in the Terai with
regional level shared learning dialogue (SLD). The field study then covered Dhankutta in hill,
Khandbari in mountain regions. I basically worked as facilitator for climate induced disaster, one of
the six thematic working groups. The study team concentrated its focus on six themes namely
 Agriculture and food security

2.  Forest and bio diversity
 Water and energy
 Climate induced disasters
 Urban settlements and
 Health
The study team was a multidisciplinary team represented by various experts and facilitators
representing different institutions ie, United Nations, national planning commission, ministries,
departments, INGOs, NGOs, Civil Societies. Each member was associated with one of the thematic
working group mentioned above. The team was led my Dr Deepak Rijal and Dr Ram Pukar Thakur
and logistics were managed by Mr Ram Prasad Acharya, Practical solution Nepal.
Methods Used:
The study team adopted shared learning dialogue (SLD) workshop technique in collecting
information at district and regional level while observation, focus group discussion and consultation
techniques were used at community and village level to gather the required information. At the end
of the field visit a wrap up meeting was carried out in Biratnagar where every thematic group
presented their findings. The following activities were carried out during the field vist
In Terai
A regional level SLD was organized at Biratnagar where more that 75 personnel representing various
government, non government and academic institutions were present. Civil societies, media
personnel, police, students and indigenous groups were also present in the meeting. After
presentation of Mr Ajay Dixit and Dr Deepak Rijal on “climate change scenario of Nepal and potential
impacts on agriculture sector”, the whole group was divided into six thematic groups facilitated by
respective facilitator. The experiences were then presented.
The visiting group was divided into three groups to visit three communities namely Kushha and
chakarghatti in Sunsari and Lakhanpur in Jhapa district. Focus group discussions were organized at
each location. I visited the local community in Kushha and then nearby Koshi Tappu wild life office.
In Hill
A focus group discussion was arranged in Danda Bazar of Dhakutta district. All the six thematic
groups discussed the climate change, its implications and local level experiences of people towards
coping and adaptation measures. Then a district level shared learning dialogue (SLD) was organized
in Dhankutta where more than 50 people from different sections ie GO, NGO, INGO, Municipality,
Media, School etc participated. Dr Rijal presented the climate change scenario and it probable
impacts on livelihood of people. The participants were divided into 6 thematic groups and each
group after discussion presented their views on climate change, its indicators, coping and adaptation
mechanisms prevalent in the area.
In Mountain
A district level shared learning dialogue (SLD) was organized in Khandbari, district headquarter of
Sankhuwasabha district where more than 60 people from different sections ie GO, NGO, INGO,

3. Municipality, Media, School etc participated. Dr Rijal presented the climate change scenario and it
probable impacts on livelihood of people. Facilitators of each group presented their views and their
needs. The participants were divided into 6 thematic groups and each group after discussion
presented their views on climate change, its indicators, coping and adaptation mechanisms
prevalent in the area.
Findings (Climate induced disasters)
The group discussion, consultation and shared learning dialogue with stakeholders came out with
general as well as specific findings at local level. The communities at various places expressed their
experiences regarding the increasing temperature, changing bio diversity and their concern in
livelihood. The following findings have been withdrawn from these discussion.
General Findings
 Temperature has increased
 Reduced production or Loss in traditional crops
 Increased events of disasters
 Mosquitoes are seen even in mountain region
 Increased cases of diseases in crops and vegetables in Terai
 Change in timings for flowering (Laligurans) and fruits (citrus) in Mountain region
 Shift of habitat of fauna like Urna towards north in Koshi Tappu
 Increased cases of skin diseases
 Change in pattern and characteristics of rainfall (increased event of cloud burst, localized
rainfall)
 Depletion in ground water level in Terai
Specific Findings
Terai
Major disasters:
Flood, flash food, thunder storm, drought, hot wave and cold wave, fire
Issues:
 Increased magnitude of flood, Soil Erosion and land degradation
 Changing frequency, time and characteristics of flood
 Increased magnitude and frequency of Storm and hailstorm
 Increased Unpredictability in climate forecasting including rainfall
 Increased number days with dense fog and cold wave
 Absence of comprehensive policy for DRR and climate change
Adaptation:
 Tree Plantation (Bamboo and other appropriate plants)
 Gabion wall and embankment protection
 Awareness campaign by various GOs, NGOs and other agencies regarding flood and fire

4.  Community based institutions (youth groups) for management of flood and fire
Unknown subjects
 Causes and solutions for the increased frequency and magnitude of flood
 Causes for changed character and pattern of rainfall
 Causes of increased population of Mosquito, Dhamira, Monkey and rats
 Relation between climate change and increased events of disasters
Mountain Region
Major Disasters:
Landslide, frost, hailstorm, forest fire (Dadhelo)
Issues:
 Hailstorm generally used to occur in Chaitra Baishakh but now it occurs even in Kartik
resulting in loss of crops
 Increased attack of Monkey, Dumsi and Rat
 Increased frequency of Landslide
 Increased attack of Dhamira
 Decreased period of frost
 Decreased availability of water in water springs (pani ko mul)
Adaptation:
 Increased Community forestry, rain water harvesting,
 Houses are built on Tar to avoid slope failure
 Gabion wall and embankment protection for the control of land slide
 Awareness campaign by various GOs, NGOs and other agencies (road shows)
 Creation of Fire Line
Unknown Subjects
 Causes of changing characteristics of frost and storm
 Causes for changed character and pattern of rainfall
Hilly Region
Major Disasters: landslide, forest fire, thunderstorm, lightening
Issues:
 Increased magnitude and frequency of landslide
 Increased event of forest fire
 Increased event of thunderstorm
 Increased events of lightening
 Change in time of landslide and lightening (unpredictable)

5. Adaptation:
 Increased Community forestry, wildlife conservation,
 Slope stabilization with bio engineering works, Gabion wall and embankment protection
 Awareness campaign by various GOs, NGOs and other agencies
 Creation of fire line ie Controlled fire
Unknown Subjects
 Snow is melting but water level in lakes and rivers is also decreasing, why?
 Causes for changed character and pattern of hailstorm and lighteningl
Way forward
Way forward for all the three geographic regions is similar; however the techniques and ingredients
or components of interventions will be different as per the nature of disaster and local socio
economic condition. For example, awareness campaign should be carried out in all the three regions,
however the nature, content and target will be different in each region. Therefore, the design of
interventions should be sensitive towards local conditions.
Future steps are as below
 Awareness campaign and preparedness activities at local and district level
 Promote community based disaster management and ensure its validity
 Development and enforcement of comprehensive DRR policy, Act and strategies
 Development of proper human resource at local level
 Allocate proper resources for DRR and its distribution
 Establish a climate change and Disaster study center and information center at district and
regional level
 Develop early warning center for disaster risk reduction, collaborate with various agencies
like DHM, NARC,FM Radio and communities
 Develop of appropriate infrastructure to be used during and after the disasters
 Carry out Hazard and Vulnerability Mapping and assessment,
 Assimilate DRR in district and local level planning
 Identification and management of highly vulnerable area, people, community and structure
 Identification and promotion of local knowledge and technology for adaptation and coping
 Enhance the capacity of vulnerable community and area ie increase the resilience