A talk presented by Dr. Durga Poudel, Project Leader of the LCC CRSP SLPS Project (http://lcccrsp.org/projects/central-asia/slps/), to the School of Geosciences at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette on September 20, 2011.

1. Presented to
UL Lafayette Faculty, Staff and Students
September 20, 2011
Durga D. Poudel
Project Leader
Livestock-Climate Change CRSP/USAID sponsored
Nepal Seed Grant Program SLPS Project
Professor and Coordinator
Environmental Science Program
School of Geosciences
UL Lafayette

2. Regional Perspective- South Asia
http://victorya.com

3. Plate Tectonics and Indian Subcontinent

4. The fault line in
South Asia.
Major earth quakes.
-2005 Kashmir
Earth Quake, 7.5
Richter Scale,
75,000 death tolls
in Pakistan
-2001 Gujrat Earth
Quake.
- September 18, 2011
Sikkim Earth
Quake, at least 50
people dead, a lot
of damages.
Map source – Google.com

5. For South Asian sub-regions please see Poudel’s article at
http://www.telegraphnepal.com/national/2011-09-
09/adapting-to-climate-change-impacts-in-south-asia.html

7. Country profile: Nepal
Data/information Source
7.5 million people (1/4th of country’s population) living Newsletter of the Adapting
Livestock Systems to Collaborative
below poverty line. Research Support Program,
Spring 2011
Nepal is the poorest country in South Asia and the 13th Newsletter of the Adapting
Livestock Systems to Collaborative
poorest nation in the world; in 2009, 43 of 75 districts Research Support Program,
faced food deficit and 23 were chronically insecure. Spring 2011
Approximately 55% Nepalese live below the World Bank, World Development
Indicators, cited by US AID’s Feed
international poverty line of $1.25/day. The Future Initiative: Nepal, FY
2010 Implementation Plan.
More than 80% of the population works in agriculture Feed The Future Initiative: Nepal,
FY 2010 Implementation Plan.
sector that accounts for 38% of GDP.
Nearly half of children six months to five years of age UNICEF State of the World’s
Children and 2005 Ethiopia
are anemic; 49% of under-five children suffering from Demographic and Health Survey,
stunting; 13% suffering from wasting; and 39% cited by USAID’s Feed the Future
underweight. Initiative: Nepal, FY 2010
Implementation Plan.

8. “Recent declining agricultural production has
depressed rural economies and increased
widespread hunger and urban migration
throughout Nepal. This situation is compounded
by a population growth rate of over two percent
per year and one of the highest ratios of
population to arable land in the world.”
Sources: Feed the Future Initiative: Nepal, FY
2010 Implementation Plan, and World Bank;
www.worldbank.org.np

9. Transhumance
System in Nepal

10. Livestock production in Mid-hills

11. Source: http//www..

12. Human population of Nepal (millions)
30.000 Estimated livestock population
25.000
for 2009/2010 in Nepal was as
follows: goats 8,762,000, cattle
20.000
7,199,000, buffalo 4,832,000, pigs
15.000 1,062,000, and sheep 797,000.
10.000
Buffalo contributed 1,066,000
5.000
MT (71.3%) of the total milk
0.000 production, and 162,213 MT
1979-80 1996-97 2009-10
(65.3%) of the total meat
6,000
production in 2009/2010.
Number of buffaloes and buffalo milk and meat
production in Nepal
5,000 There is 89.91% increase in
human population from 1979/80 to
4,000
2009/10 and the corresponding
Number (000)
3,000 Milk prod. (000 MT)
increase in buffalo population was
Meat prod. (000 MT)
85.49%. Cattle population
2,000 increased from 5,986,000 to
7,199,000 during the same period.
1,000
0 Poudel, 2011.
1979-80 1996-97 2009-10 Telegraphnepal.com

13. Climate Change Impacts
The South Asia Environment Outlook 2009 published by UNEP, SAARC and
DA reports nearly 15,000 glaciers will likely to retreat from their present total
area of 500,000 sq. km. to the total area of 100,000 sq. km. by 2035 in South
Asian region.
IPCC Climate Change 2007 publication projects crop yields decline about 2.5 –
10% in 2020s and 5 to 30% in 2050s compared with 1990s levels in some parts
of Asia. More human diseases, especially water borne diseases, diarrhea, and
cholera associated with climate change are expected to increase in the future.
Droughts, flash floods, and torrential rains in Afghanistan; outburst of glacial
lakes in Nepal; glacier melts in Bhutan; rise in sea level rise in Maldives;
increased in saline areas, flooding, and cyclones in Bangladesh; declining
ground water table in India; and flooding in Pakistan.
Increase on mosquito-transmitted diseases, diarrhea and lack of clean water
supply, desertification and land degradation, river cuttings, temperature rise,
shifting of habitats and cropping zones, and changes on hydrology.

14. Retreat of
AX010 glacier
in Sorong
Himal Nepal:
a. Map
showing the
changes in the
glacier area b.
Changes in the
glacier
and the rate of
terminus
retreat c.
Photographs
of glacier
terminus
between 1978-
1996
Source : WWF
Nepal Program
2005.

15. Lirung
Glacier ,
Nepal in
1985 and
2002.
Source:
WWF Nepal
Program
2005.

16. Flooding in Pakistan, Sep 19, 2011

17. Nepal’s Halji Village experiences
glacial lake outbrust flood

18. With an average of 0.06oC/year, a rise in
temperature from 1975 to 2006 by 1.8oC has
been recorded in Nepal (Malla, 2008).
From analysis of the Madi River (1979-2006),
annual flow has been increased by 0.149 %
annually with increased loss of top soil each
year.
“More than 30 million people were displaced last
year by environmental and weather-related
disasters across Asia, experts have warned, and the
problem is only likely to grow worse as climate
change exacerbates such problems.”
Fiona Harvey, Sept 19, 2011

19. Capacity-building and strengthening of
livestock production system while
adapting to climate change in Nepal
UL Lafayette, NARC Nepal, Tribhuvan University Nepal, CARE-
Nepal, ADB Nepal, Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal, Nyayik Sansar Nepal
Objectives
 Identify factors that are responsible for the downward spiral of
livestock production systems.
 Identify impacts of climates change on livestock production and
adaptation measures.
 Assess opportunities and challenges for capacity-building.
 Disseminate project finding.

20. Hypothesis
“… that the livestock production system in Nepal is
intricately related to forest resources, soil quality, and
crop productivity, and its development and adaptation
to climate change requires capacity-building and
strengthening of the production system.”

21. We seek to answer the following research questions:
1. What are the interrelationships and linkages with respect to livestock
production, forest resources, soil quality, crop productivity, farm labor, climate
change, government policies, and community capacity?
2. What are the factors responsible for the downward spiral of the livestock
production system?
3. How is climate change impacting livestock production?
4. How are livestock systems adapting to these changes?
5. What opportunities and challenges exist in relation to capacity-building at the
national, district, and the community level for strengthening livestock
production system and adapting to climate change?

22. Project Implementation
Project Partners’ Meeting
Watershed Visit
Formation of Community Livestock Groups (CLGs)
CLG Training
LCC-CRSP Stakeholders’ Meeting
Water Quantity and Quality Monitoring
Livestock Production Record Keeping
Fecal Sample Analyses
Livestock Climate Change Adaptation Measures
Project Evaluation

23. Project Partners’ Meeting (I) Kathmandu, June 15, 2011
Guest Speaker - Mr. Mukesh Raj Shrestha, SME (Small
Micro-enterprise) Chief, ADB Ltd.
Participants:
NARC = 1; ADB Ltd = 5; CARE-Nepal = 1
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal = 9
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal Nuwakot = 4
Nyayik Sansar = 1
UL Lafayette, LA = 1; TU Nepal = 1
MAHA Agriculture Pvt. Ltd. = 1

24. Major outcomes from KTM partners’ meeting
Involving District Soil Conservation Office Nuwakot in project
implementation.
Better understanding of the project by local stakeholders and
project partners prior to its implementation.
Involving youths in the project.
Insufficient feed availability as one of the major problems in
livestock production.
Learning lessons from previous similar watershed studies
conducted especially by CARE-Nepal, WWF, FECOFUN,
NTNC, and DFID.

25. Contd..
Pre-existence of some livestock groups affiliated with
governmental agencies in the watershed.
Criteria for CLG formation - based on common pasture or VDC
representation. Stream network, resource use and interactions,
or geomorphic units (besi vs lekh) could be other criteria for CLG
formation.
Possibility of acquiring soil and plant analyses kits locally
available.

26. Thulo Khola Watershed, Nuwakot - Field Visit, June 26, 2011
Participants:
NARC = 1; TU Nepal = 1;
CARE-Nepal = 1;
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal = 3;
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal Nuwakot = 3;
UL Lafayette, LA = 1; Nyayik Sansar = 1;
Local people = 3;
Other = 1

27. Thulo Khola Watershed, Nuwakot

28. Climate change impact, environmental hazards
Dried Road
spring Erosion
Road Falling
slip tree

29. Livestock production challenges
Parasites are major problems- liver
flukes (buffalo, cattle, goat), round
worm (goat), and tape worm
(buffalo, goat, pig).
Skin disease appears to be the
most common problem followed by
infectious diseases such as Pestidis
Pestis Ruminantis (goat), Chronic
Respiratory Disease (chicken),
pneumonia (goat), respiratory
disease, mastitis for buffalo and cow
(almost 90% affected), and F&M
disease (ox and buffalo).
Remarkable increase in the
livestock diseases mainly respiratory
disease, mastitis, skin diseases, and
pneumonia (especially on goat) in
recent years.

30. Occurrence of very high level of drug resistance in livestock.
With respect to our questions on climate change and its impacts on
livestock and agricultural production, Mr. Koirala feels that climate change
might have caused drug resistance in livestock, increased incidence of
diseases (blast in rice) and pests in crop, and corn sterility.
Disappearance of pasture land, grazing restrictions by CFUGs, high cost of
animals, and lack of animal feed are some of the major constrains for livestock
production.
Major grass species promoted by the government targeting livestock system
are jai, berseem, stylo and napier. However, only a limited number of farmers
have planted these grass species in their fields.
Marketing of milk is not a problem at all, and cattle milk exceeds buffalo
milk in terms of the volume of production. Large animals are stall-fed.

31. Livestock production challenges -
management
Poor health, very scrawny animals
Poor feed and fodder supply
Extremely poor living conditions,
bad shape pens and sheds, no
ventilation, unhygienic management.

32. Vet Doctor in the watershed
Dr. Ram Pukar Thakur, one of our team members,
starts treating and prescribing medicine for injured and
sick animals in the watershed.
Emergency livestock veterinary support fund is
necessary while a team with a vet doctor visits the
watershed.
Farmers expect free service from the vet doctor and
the vet doctor ethically cannot ignore the sick animals.
Farmers were happy with Dr. Thakur’s services.

33. Livestock grazing, community forests, and Murrah buffalo

34. Community interest

35. CLG formation localities, approx. households, stream and stream
monitoring location

36. Project Partners’ Meeting (I) Nuwakot, June 27, 2011
Participants:
NARC = 1; ADB Ltd = 1; CARE-Nepal = 1
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal = 3
Asta-Ja Abhiyan Nepal Nuwakot = 4
UL Lafayette, LA = 1; TU Nepal = 1
District Agriculture Office, Nuwakot = 1
District Soil and Water Conserv. Nuwakot = 1
District Forest Office, Nuwakot = 1
Community Forest Association = 1
Bidur Municipality = 1

37. Major outcomes from Nuwakot partners’ meeting
In order to monitor water level at the outlet of the Thulo Khola we
decided to request DWIDP (Department of Water Induced Disaster
Prevention).
To avoid any confusion while project implementation, Mr. Humagain
suggested informing local political leaders about the project.
Participants suggested consultation of Nuwakot Agricultural
Committee which is under the leadership of the Local Development
Officer (LDO).
Formation of a CLGs co-ordination group consisting of the group
leaders from the nine CLGs for better co-ordination.
 Need for experimental research with respect to various livestock related
issues such as landuse conversion to support livestock production,
improved livestock sheds, or comparative studies on feed production.

38. CLG formation and CLG workshop, July 3, 2011.
Grop Village Group Name Members Stream Monitoring
No. Station
1. Chanaute Tallo Bagar Ghat Ms. Iswori Nepal Thulo Khola Bridge
Gaun Ms. Sumitra Nepal
Ms. Anita Poudel
Ms. Manju Adhikari
Ms. Sirjana Subedi
2. Lamichane Gaun Lamichane Gaun Mr. Prakash Nepal Thulo Khola Boksi Chhango
Mr. Madhab Nepal
Mr. Shiva Rijal
Mr. Shiva Prasad Phuwal
Ms. Ganga Nepal
3. Banje Gaun Banje Gaun, Ms. Sirjana Adhikari Thulo Khola Ghore Paharo
Panchkhale Ms. Chadni Nepal
Ms. Sangita Nepal
Mr. Gopi Nepal
Mr. Prem Bdr. Adhikari
4. Khani Gaun Khani Ms.Gita Nepal Bimire Khola Mahadev Than
Gaun/Chakleti Ms. Sumitra Khatiwada
Chapleti Gaun Mr. Bishnu Prasad Nepal
Mr. Krishna Prasad Rimal
Ms. Sangita Nepali
Ms. Sushila Nepal

39. Grop No. Village Group Name Members Stream Monitoring
Station
5. Bet Pani, Nepal Dupcheshwor Mr. Ramhari Ghimire Bimire Khola
Chok Mr. Bishnu Prasad Rijal Deurali
Mr. Sambhu Prasad Rijal
Ms. Rewati Nepal
Mr. Ram Prasad Nepal
Ms. Binda Nepal
Ms. Kalpana Nepal
6. Utpanneshowor Bhangeri Mr. Jibraj Khatiwada Sisneri Khola Chhamure
Mr. Ramesh Bdr. Khatiwada
Mr. Buddhi Prasad Paneru
Ms. Ganga Devi Rijal
Mr. Indra Bahadur Khatiwada
Mr. Ambar Bahadur Tamang
Mr. Dinesh Tamang
7. Bhasme Bageshwori Ms. Manju Khatiwada Thulo Khola Khalte Bari
Ms. Sita Khatiwada
Ms. Gita Shrestha
Mr. Devi Bahadur Shrestha
Mr. Kul Bahadur Shrestha

40. Grop Village Group Name Members Stream Monitoring
No. Station
8. Gurung Gaun Khatiwada Gaun Ms. Sumitra Adhikari Thulo Sungara
Ms. Pabitra Adhikari Khola
Ms. Laxmi Thapa
Mr. Sagar Phuwal
Ms. Sarswati Tamang
9. Gopale Malika Mr. Toran Bahadur Tamang Thulo Hariya Lekh
Bhanjyang Gauraghar Mr. Tirtha Bahadur Tamang Khola
Mr. Bishnu Bahadur Tamang
Mr. Som Raj Tamang
Mr. Kumar Bahadur Tamang
Ms. Hira Maya Tamang
Female = 25, Male = 26,
Students = 9, Teacher cum student = 2, Teacher = 2; Farmers = 38

41. CLG workshop- Livestock monitoring, record keeping, and water
quality monitoring training, July 3 2011

42. Livestock production system monitoring variables
and record keeping by each CLG member
Variables
Household profile
Pasture management
Health recording
Breeding
Livestock management
Forest use
Fodder /grass supply
Reproduction interval
Feed supply
Income
Manure production
Monitoring
Daily record keeping
Monitoring every 15 days by
monitoring staff

43. Fecal coliform, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and phosphate
determination in Thulo Khola water sample by the participants

44. Water quality test results for the outlet of
Thulo Khola watershed, July 3, 2011.
Water quality Water quality Condition
parameter
pH 8 Good
Fecal Coliform Positive Poor
Dissolved Oxygen 8 PPM Excellent
Turbidity > 100 JTU Poor
Phosphate > 4 PPM Poor
Nitrate < 5 PPM Good

45. Handing out water quality monitoring kits – fecal coliform, turbidity, pH,
dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate to the CLG group members

46. CLGs and water quality monitoring in Thulo Khola watershed-
fecal coliform will be monitored every month while rest of the
parameters will be monitored every fifteen days by each group.
CLG Group Water quality monitoring
number
1 Fecal coliform, pH, turbidity, DO, nitrate, phosphate
2 Fecal coliform
3 Fecal coliform
4 Fecal colifrom, pH, DO, nitrate, phosphate
5 Fecal coliform
6 Fecal coliform, pH, turbidity, DO, nitrate, phosphate
7 Fecal coliform
8 Fecal coliform
9 Fecal coliform, pH, DO, nitrate, phosphate

47. Livestock parasites, soil quality, and fodder nutrient analyses for livestock
herd, agricultural land, and fodder tress and grass of each CLG member in
Thulo Khola watershed, Nuwakot
Sampling and Analysis Time interval
monitoring
Livestock fecal and Parasites Every month
urine
Soils pH, N, P, K, soil texture, Once in project
bulk density, OM duration
Fodder, grass, straw Nutrient content Different stages of
fodder, grass

48. Fecal Sample Analyses
Coccidia egg in ecal sample Strongyle egg in fecal sample

49. We have tested total 112 faecal samples (47 from buffalo, 31
from cattle and 34 goat), of which 15 (32%), 18 (58%) and 29
(85%) samples respectively were positive for parasites.
In cattle and buffalo, Fasciola was predominant in all
positive samples followed by Paramphistomes.
The highest prevalence of mixed type of parasites were
observed in Goats (85%). In goats, mixed infection with
Strongyles, Coccidia, Moneizia and Trichuris were observed.
The predominant species were Strongyles and Coccidia.
These species of parasites cause severe diarrohea,
dehydration, weakness, loss of weight and death of affected
goats.

50. LCC-CRSP Stakeholders Meeting, July 6, 2011
Priority research area of livestock
system climate change identified:
Animal health (especially parasitic,
epidemic, and zoonotic disease
management)
Water management
Soil health
Female empowerment
Climate change communication
Breed productivity
Market incentives in rural areas
Climate change adaptation research
Capacity-building

51. Preliminary findings
Climate change impacts – dried stream, drought, floods, untimely rains
Farmers’ awareness and perception with regard to climate change–
diseases, parasites
Climate change, adaptation and mitigation
Livestock management, parasites, diseases
Nutrient loss (P) from manure
Livestock sheds, pens condition
Feed and nutrition
Forest use and forest condition
Environmental hazards, soil erosion, nutrient loss
Animal procurement, concentrated feed, herd management
Family nutrition and health, sanitation
Community support and enthusiasm for the project
Implementation of research findings and the scaling up of the project

52. Future activities
Reconnaissance visit for the characterization of geology, climate change, soils,
hydrology, forests, feed supply, and cropping systems.
Interdisciplinary team will do a survey of geology, climate change,
hydrology, land resources, soil quality, assess and characterize
farming systems, fodder trees, biomass production, and forest
types in the watershed.
Household surveys
A sizeable proportion of the total households in the watershed
will be included in the survey. Survey data will be analyzed and
the results will be reported.
Institutional analyses
Review of literature, policies, and programs, institutional
surveys, round-table discussions, and office visits will be some
of the techniques utilized for institutional information
collection and analyses.

53. Expected results
1. Factors responsible for the downward spiral of the livestock production system.
Survey data will go through analysis to identify different factors
responsible for the deterioration of livestock production in the watershed.
This analysis will enhance our understanding of the system and enable us in
suggesting possible intervention measures for sustainable livestock production.
2. Identification and characterization of livestock management systems and feed supply.
It is important to investigate the opportunities and constraints of
existing and emerging livestock management systems so that their
linkages with respect to livestock production, forest resource, soil quality,
and crop production could be understood and quantified accurately.
We will also assess year-round feed supply, nutrient status, and constraints.

54. 3. Implementation of adaptation measures to climate change.
Identify various measures that farmers have already adapted or
are going to adapt to cope with climate change impacts on
livestock production. Implementation of adaptation measures
4. Opportunities and challenges for capacity-building
Formation of CLGs and their performance, raising awareness, trainings
and skills development, and results from institutional analyses and
program and policy reviews will serve as the basis for our output in
relation to capacity-building for livestock management. Opportunities
and challenges for capacity-building will be reported.

55. Livestock Climate Change Adaptation Measures
Nine themes of our project:
Water availability
Animal health
Forest health
Soil health
Crop production
Female empowerment
Policy issue
Climate change communication
Capacity-building

56. Adaptation measures
Climate change adaptation measures to water availability include:
•Reforestation of the watershed for increased water conservation.
•Minimizing water wastage.
•Runoff collection ponds for irrigation water and buffalo wallowing.
•Rain water harvest for household use, livestock water supply, and gardening.
•Irrigation management and enhancing water use efficiency.
•Soil moisture conservation.
•Watershed plan for water diversion or reservoir construction for water supply.
•Introducing crops that require less amount of water.
•Livestock species selection according to water availability.
•Source protection to avoid water pollution.
•Nonpoint source water pollution control.

57. Theme Climate change adaptation measures
Animal health Animal insurance, community awareness of the link between climate change and animal
health, early warning system of disease outbreak, surveillance and response system,
governmental capacity-building, feed improvement, livestock shed improvement
Forest health Controlling invasive species, controlling forest diseases and pests, improving forest soils
and rangeland’s condition, improving forest status and forest cover, understanding climate
change impacts on forest health e.g. lichen communities, reforestation
Soil health Improving soil quality - Soil pH, CEC, organic matter content, soil aggregate stability, base
saturation, nutrient content, soil PMN, infiltration rate, soil moisture content; controlling
soil erosion and land degradation
Crop production Controlling diseases and pest, improving crop yields, controlling weeds and invasive
species, enhancing nutrient management, controlling nutrient loss, and enhancing plant
health research capability
Female Promoting gender equality, enhancing educational and political empowerment, increasing
empowerment women’s influence in household and public decision making, training for women, women
entrepreneurs, women in community organizations
Policy issue Policy advocacy, policy training, political engagement on climate change issue, public
engagement with climate change
Climate change Timely climate change communication for policy makers, educators, communicators, and
communication media; climate change threats to the society, attitudes and behavioral changes, climate
change impacts and opportunities for economic growth, jobs, and innovation
Capacity-building Education and community awareness, motivation, partnerships development, project
planning and implementation, training and skills development, facilities

58. Opportunities Challenges
Collaborative partnerships Coordination and communication
Indigenous knowledge and Modern technologies, quick-fix
technologies
Diversified farming system Commercialized agriculture
Communication system Ignoring climate change issues
Community organizations Heavily political
Government policies and programs Policy failures, poor implementation
Donor’s supports, aids Citizen versus client
Community enthusiasm and Sustaining the enthusiasm
participation
Economic development through Appropriate measures, sustained effort,
climate change adaptation and capacity-building
Climate change adaptation measures Expenses and skills needed

59. Acknowledgements
This presentation was made possible by the United States Agency
for International Development and the generous support of the
American people through Grant No. EEM-A-00-10-00001. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International
Development or the U.S. government.

60. Thank You