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This paper reviews the interlinkages of critical state of water resources, supply systems, rapid urbanisation and demand regime, aggravated by tourism leading to increasing water insecurity in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Urban centres in the HKH have been defined based on different criteria, but mountain-specific criteria are lacking. In the mountains, small settlements such as district headquarters perform a large number of functions, typical of an urban centre. However, they are not formally classified as urban centres because they do not meet the census-defined nationally set criteria of the respective country. Nonetheless, water insecurity is a reality, attributed to: (i) water governance issues; (ii) inappropriate urban planning, failing, and to some extent, unable to account for the floating population, such as tourists; and (iii) the scourge of climate change which could worsen the situation further. Short-term coping strategies to meeting water demands often involve unsustainable solutions, such as groundwater extraction, with long-term repercussions. However, long-term strategies for water sustainability by the governments have been beneficial while others are yet to show success. Initiatives by civil society and governments along similar lines in other countries could lead to a water-secure future for the fragile urban centres of the HKH region.

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This study assessed the vulnerability of cereals yield to climate change using an integrated and multi-scale quantitative approach. The objectives of this study include determining the level of climate variability, assessment of cereals yield sensitivity index, determining climate exposure index, determining adaptive capacity of farmers, assessment of the post adaptation vulnerability of cereals yield to climate change. Socioeconomic data were obtained through administration of questionnaires. Thirty years data of temperature and rainfall as well as fifteen years data of annual cereals yield were used. Mean and standard deviation, standardized coefficient of skewness (Z 1) and kurtosis (Z 2), simple linear regression and time series statistics analysis were used in this study for the analysis of data. Finding depicts that the exposure index of rainfall is low but high for temperature. Cereals sensitivity index/degree of crop yield failure is more from 2000-2010 and significant difference was observed in sensitivity index for all the cereals. Adaptive capacity of farmers to climate change is high in Bwari and AMAC but low in Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali. Post adaptation vulnerability of maize, rice and millet yield to rainfall and temperature is low in AMAC and Bwari but high in Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje. Post adaptation vulnerability of sorghum in relation to rainfall is low in all the area councils in the FCT except Abaji. In relation to temperature, vulnerability of sorghum is high in Abaji and Kuje but low in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kwali and Bwari. It was recommended that there is need to place climate change within the top priority of developmental context, and provision and infrastructure as well as reliable agricultural extension service.

The study focuses on four river basins, Gandaki, Indus, Upper Ganga and Teesta, in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region in South Asia. The region is considered one of the more environmentally vulnerable areas in the world due to recurrent natural hazards that can be exacerbated by future climate change. The dependence of the population on natural resources based livelihoods makes the region particularly vulnerable to adverse climate change impacts. Labour migration can help household adaptation, particularly when it incurs significant cash investment. The paper analyses the determinants of household adaptation, including migration, in three sectors, namely, agriculture, livestock, and water. It shows that household adaptation to the negative effects of climate change was very poor in the region, with less than a third of the households undertaking adaptation measures. While labour migration showed a positive influence on household adaptation, it was statistically significant only in agriculture. Nevertheless, migration influenced household adaptation indirectly through livelihood diversification, access to services provide of external stakeholders, and changes in household composition. The study identified location, access to climate information, and services provided by external stakeholders as important factors in household adaptation to climate change.

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