Local People's Perception on Climate Change, its Indicators and Adaptation Strategies in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, Nepal

Climate change is regarded as one of the main obstacles to the environment conservation and people's economy, agriculture and livelihood in undeveloped countries like Nepal. Understanding people's perception and indicators of climate change are fundamental knowledge for developing various adaptation strategies. This study was based on the questionnaire survey with respondents of 204 households in the study area- Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Nepal. More than 92% of the respondents were perceived the problems of climate change such as low or unprecedented rainfall, the rate of dryness of the land, dryness of wetlands, change crop pattern and phenology. These indicators of climate change were significantly increased in the recent years. Local people have been facing various levels of impacts caused by invasive alien plant species in their farmlands and forests (87.7%) and that also replaced the pasture or grasslands (69.1%). Besides, local people have experienced the increased rate of tropical disease vectors (e.g., house flies and mosquitoes), pests on crops and livestock diseases over the last 15 years. The rain water harvesting technology adopted by local people is the major adaptation strategy during low rainfall and dry periods. Likewise, the local people use invasive alien plant species to make bio-briquettes, fodders, cattle beds and compost manures. However, the lack of sufficient knowledge and resources, people's livelihood is vulnerable under such worst situation due to climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on capacity building of local people to adapt with changing climate.