The high-altitude area of Ladakh in the northern Himalayan region faces various climate challenges, including glacial retreat, volatile weather conditions, and water scarcity, which create threats for the regional ecosystem, livelihoods, and cultural practices. This chapter delves into the very complex interplay between environmental vulnerability, traditional indigenous adaptation strategies, and global climate change requirements. Field data shows Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) functions as a linchpin of climate resilience because it provides water conservation strategies, sustainable agriculture practice, as well as community-driven initiatives. Additionally, the chapter analyses the policy landscape, advocating an inclusive governance model that amalgamates traditional indigenous knowledge with relevant scientific advancements. By scrutinising Ladakh’s rare socio-environmental dynamics, this chapter reinforces the pressing need for adaptive strategies that prioritize cultural preservation alongside environmental sustainability. Finally, the findings of the chapter offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners focusing to develop potent climate resilience frameworks for vulnerable ecosystems world-wide.

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Adapting to Climate Change in the High-Altitude Region of Ladakh: Local Perspectives and Global Challenges

  • Sirajun Tahura,
  • G. Kalaiyarasan,
  • Sohel Rana Sarkar

摘要

The high-altitude area of Ladakh in the northern Himalayan region faces various climate challenges, including glacial retreat, volatile weather conditions, and water scarcity, which create threats for the regional ecosystem, livelihoods, and cultural practices. This chapter delves into the very complex interplay between environmental vulnerability, traditional indigenous adaptation strategies, and global climate change requirements. Field data shows Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) functions as a linchpin of climate resilience because it provides water conservation strategies, sustainable agriculture practice, as well as community-driven initiatives. Additionally, the chapter analyses the policy landscape, advocating an inclusive governance model that amalgamates traditional indigenous knowledge with relevant scientific advancements. By scrutinising Ladakh’s rare socio-environmental dynamics, this chapter reinforces the pressing need for adaptive strategies that prioritize cultural preservation alongside environmental sustainability. Finally, the findings of the chapter offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners focusing to develop potent climate resilience frameworks for vulnerable ecosystems world-wide.