Kathmandu– The impact and effects of climate change accelerating around the globe have started to appear directly in Nepal’s Himalayan region.
While observing Nepal’s Northern Himalayan Region in the past five years, the migration trend of wildlife from Himalayan Region to the upper region has been increasing.
With the decrease in snowfall and the snow melting quickly due to the rising temperature in the Himalayas, the growth of vegetation has declined and the trend of wildlife migration from Himalayan Region to the upper region has increased.
The growing temperature and the effects seen in the environment have increased the migration of the Pika Rabbit and butterflies found in Lagtang area of Rasuwa district to the upper region.
Snow melting quickly, snow-fed rivers increasing
Stakeholders working in the field of conserving the environment said Lende, Langtang and Bhotekoshi among others river that flow from the mountains have also witnessed changes in a span of five years.
According to a research conducted by Journal of Development Innovation, the area covered by glacier in Langtang was 142.06 square kilometer in 2009 but in 2018 glacier and snow covered area was recorded at only 135 square kilometer.
The report stated that the impact of climate change in the Himalayan Region will increase further. According to the report, the melting of snow has decreased at the rate of 26 percent in a span of 30 years in Langtang.
The rise in annual temperature of 0.06 was observed in Nepal. According to a statistics, the temperature will increase with the increase in the altitude and its direct effect has been noticed in the Himalayas.
Migration of wildlife and vegetation
According to a research carried out by the Langtang National Park, the Pika Rabbit found at an altitude of 2,800 m in the Langtang area was encountered at an altitude of 3,500 m, researcher Manoj Bhusal said. He said the wildlife and vegetation have started moving to upper region.
“Five types of butterflies found at an altitude of 1,009m were seen only at an altitude of 3,028m,” said Environmentalist and researcher Bhusal, adding, “The fact was found during a two-month research conducted in the Langtang area.”
“20 species of vegetation found at an altitude of 2,000 metre was seen at an altitude of 2,305m,” Bhusal said. He said they found this fact during the research carried out in a six month period.
Birds, bear and snow leopard, among other animals, found in Himalayan region have also started migrating in search of shelter.
Wild boar in search of suitable temperature
Wild boars found at an altitude of 2,000 m have migrated to upper region from lower region. Hence, the farmers of Langtang who depend on agriculture have witnessed the problems.
With the change in temperature, the wild boars have started moving to favourable environment.
“The wild boars found at an altitude of 2,000m used to be found at an altitude of 3,950m in Kenjing of Langtang,” local Subba Lama said. “Now, the boars are found at an altitude of 4,500 m in Lisang of Langtang.”
How many boars are there in Langtang?
A three-member team of Friends of Nature in coordination with Langtang National Park’s assistant conservation officer Ram Dev Chaudhary and his team carried out a research in the National Park in 2012.
According to the report of the research, there are around 1,294 to 2,156 wild boars in the National Park.
During the research conducted for four months in the habitat of boars in the National Park area, it has been found that the highest number of boars is found in Langtang area and the lowest number of boars is found in Yarsa of Rasuwa.
According to the report, the boars cause damage of around Rs 38,130 in each house in the Langtang area.
Shining clothes used to protect crops from boars
The World Wildlife Fund of Langtang National Park and Buffer Zone Support Project had used shining clothes made out of Australian technology and stones to protect the crops from wild animals. The farmers have abandoned the agriculture profession due to the boars.
Locals have around 800 ropanis of land in Langtang. Of them, 700 ropanis of land have been left barrier for the past two years, local Subba Lama said.
When Langtang area was not popular for tourism, locals used to depend on season crops such as potato, wheat and rice. As the area became famous for tourism, locals have been eking out their living from tourism business.
Locals who still depend on agriculture have been suffering from various problems because of wild animals.
Vegetable farming in snowfall area
It was impossible to grow green vegetables in the snowfall area in the Himalayan region. Now, locals have started growing vegetables in many villages in Langtang.
Phinjo Tamang of Langtang-7 has been cultivating vegetables for the past two years. It was impossible to grow cabbage, radish, cauliflower and tomato in the Himalayan region. Now, they have started growing different vegetables with the decrease in snowfall.
“I have been cultivating tomato, greens and other vegetables in the tunnel,” said Tamang, adding, “I have started growing vegetables in the tunnel as it is difficult to grow crops outside because of Himalayan region.”
“Foreigners often ask me how it is possible to grow vegetables at the foothill of Himal,” he said. Tamang said it is possible to grow crops in the tunnel by protecting the vegetables from cold wind and dewdrops.
He said no pesticides are used in the vegetables of tunnel house. “The market price of tomato is Rs 100 per kg. But I sell the tomatoes from the tunnel at Rs 150 per kg,” said Tamang.
