Document Type

Article

Department

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Abstract

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, renowned for its towering mountains and major river basins, sustains nearly 1.4 billion people worldwide and is pivotal to global food production. Glacial melt from the HKH region nourishes agriculture, livestock, and horticulture, supporting the livelihoods of mountain communities. However, climate change is accelerating the melting of glaciers, and shifts in wet seasons significantly impact food security in these communities. Sectors such as water resources, agricultural land, and human health, particularly women’s health, are significantly affected by these changes. For centuries, agriculture has been the backbone of Gilgit-Baltistan’s economy, with over 70% of livelihoods depending on it (Habib, 2021), either directly or indirectly. Women make equal or more contributions to agriculture, functioning as essential custodians of agro-related operations, water management, reproductive care, and social services. Additionally, with men moving out of the region for socioeconomic opportunities, women face the effects of disasters as frontline actors but are not educated or equipped with any training to deal with it. Therefore, it is crucial to explore women’s perceptions and understanding of climate change and their readiness to adapt to these unpredictable changes.
This study aims to investigate women’s perceptions of climate change and its impacts on agriculture and health in Upper Hunza. A mixed-method approach was employed, involving face-to-face interviews with 30 female participants from Passu and Moorkhun villages in Upper Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan. The findings reveal a nuanced understanding of climate change among women, with notable impacts on agricultural activities and income generation. Adapting to changing climatic conditions remains a challenge, highlighting the necessity for tailored interventions and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
Currently, adaptation strategies primarily consist of development agency-endorsed climate-smart techniques, such as tunnel farming. Although initiatives like food preservation are being modernized, they appear less equipped to meet the adaptive capacity needed. Recommendations include empowering women through education, enhancing healthcare access, and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices. Bridging gaps in research and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for developing context-specific strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on mountain communities in the HKH region.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Tezhib: Undergraduate Research Journal

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