Nepal links climate resilience to existing community knowledge
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Researchers Rajiv Ghimire and Netra Chhetri studied Nepal’s Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) to understand how communities can shape climate change responses.
They examined 65 local plans across 11 districts, interviewing local stakeholders and national climate experts. The study revealed that 78% of proposed adaptation activities were already practiced within communities, demonstrating a wealth of “everyday adaptation” built on long-term experience. However, turning this local knowledge into effective policy requires resources and support.
While 98% of local respondents considered LAPA important and 80% felt their participation mattered, 58% reported difficulties in implementing the plans due to limited funding and government support. The researchers found that simply shifting decision-making to the local level doesn’t guarantee inclusivity, as men often dominated implementation committees and overlooked knowledge held by women and marginalized groups. Ghimire and Chhetri advocate for a two-way relationship where scientific knowledge complements local experience, rather than replacing it.
They caution that traditional practices may not be enough to address increasingly severe climate impacts, necessitating external resources and expertise. This need for collaboration gained urgency after a recent flood along the Nepal. China border highlighted the challenges of managing risks that cross national boundaries and exceed local capacity.
