Building Mountain Resilience through Transboundary Management of Ecosystems 3-4 October 2017, Dushanbe, Tajikistan Wu Ning & Yi Shaoliang International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal

HINDU KUSH HIMALAYAS A Global Asset

Mountains – important region of connection in Asia and beyond Ancient Silk Routes

Basins Support Some of the Most Populated Areas Globally Population Density in the 10 HKH River Basins Decisions about mountain resources are often made outside of the mountains

Drivers of Mountain Changes Any specific environmental, social, or economic change is driven by a network of interactions.

Climate + Change Impacts Temperature, precipitation, glaciers and snow, hydrology, and ecosystems Urbanization, globalization, and connectivity Demographic, economic and socio-cultural changes Glacial retreat Urban population by regions

Necessity and Opportunities Changes offer opportunities to innovate, build resilience, and bounce forward. Resilience outcomes in terms of ‘ex ante’ capacity for: (1) early and better recovery; (2) adaptation; (3) transformative change. Interventions as ‘solution packages’ to target a combination of contextual factors drawn from: ecosystem, people, institutions, infrastructure, and external influences.

Need to be more than coping and “bouncing back” Community Based Flood Early Warning System

Change Brings Opportunities South/South learning on common regional mountain issues Transboundary conservation and development Cross border scientific cooperation Regional & global investments (i.e. one belt one road) Climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, clean energy, and green technology

Working Across Boundaries Kailash Sacred (Sacred landscape with unique biodiversity and culture Kangchenjunga (Corridors and Connectivity) Karakoram Pamir Wahan Landscape ( KPWL) (Transboundary PAs with unique alpine biodiversity) Initiative for Far Eastern Himalayas (HI-LIFE) (biodiversity hotspots- endemism)

Need for Regional Approach – The rationale Critical data deficit on environmental parameters in the HKH hindering scientific understanding and viable policy and practice responses; The region is home to many globally significant species and wide range of habitats beyond the existing PAs and the political boundaries (More than 20% of the PAs are transboundary in nature); Conservation effectiveness questioned as most of the PAs are scattered as ‘conservation islands’, and lack connectivity in between; Offer unique opportunity for an integrated approach to research, monitoring and managing interfaced ecosystems and enhance their resilience.

Ecosystem management in Transboundary Initiatives Ecosystem management requires a comprehensive framework and scientific understanding of the ecosystem functioning beyond their administrative borders. This can help build ecosystem resilience and develop adaptive practices on the ground. Drivers of change (structure & function) Interaction mechanism across interface (process) Restoration & rehabilitation Conservation intervention Eco-industry development Enhance resilience Promote development Sustain governance Technological intervention Scientific research Adaptive management Piloting

Ecosystem Management Framework for Integrated Ecosystem Management in the HKH (FIEM) for harmonizing approaches for the management of natural resources in the HKH Planning Management for Ecosystem Services- an Operational Manual, emphasizing on holistic approaches, multi-stakeholder participation, ecological integrity, and adaptive management.

Training Partners to Use FIEM and Manual ToT on Management for Ecosystem Services for partners from different Landscape Initiatives held (Kathmandu) Participants using the framework and manual for applying it to their own landscape (China, India and Nepal)

Implementation - Kailash (Kangrinpoche) Sacred Landscape (China-India-Nepal) A sacred landscape with unique and rich biological diversity, cultural heritage, and vital ecosystem services conserved and sustained through transboundary ecosystem management. Lake Manasarovar Mt. Kailash Pilgrim People, livelihood and CC adaptation Biodiversity and Ecosystem and Services Regional cooperation and enabling policy Long term monitoring Regional knowledge management and communication Goods

Connectivity Corridor for Species Resilience in Kangchenjunga Landscape Enhancing participatory biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods Promoting environmental security and regional cooperation

Restrictions on cross-border grazing in Eastern Nepal The trans-border area, including parts of Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam districts of Nepal. Traditionally, summer pastures on bordering high mountains are grazed by all of herders. In 1978 an agreement for banning the trans-border use of pastureland was reached between the Chinese and Nepalese government. After the notification of Singhalila National Park and Kangchenjunga National Park after 1990 by Indian government, grazing was restricted within the protected area. China Grazing Nepal India Carrying capacity of pastures overstocked due to loss of summer pastures. Traditional trading routes for yak products closed. Yak productivity decline due to in-breeding.

Karakoram-Pamir-Wahkan landscape (KPWL) To improve the understanding on biodiversity and climate change To promote transboundary cooperation in conserving and sustaining ES To enhance resilience, adaptive capacity and livelihoods of local communities.

Silk Road Heritage Corridors - A meeting point for traders, pilgrims and explorers

KPWL - A linked landscape of conservation and development: PAs: Wakhan Taxkorgan Khunjerab Zorkul Brogil

Case: Climate change’s threats and adaptation In KPWL, a consistent rising trend of annual mean temperature and decrease of precipitation since the 20th century was reported. Herders’ perception Climate changed - 63%; Warmer winters – over 60%; Longer summers and shorter winters – 87%; Rainfall decline in summer – 70%.

Adaptation to Changes – Livelihood Diversification Internal diversification Livestock production (migration and mix grazing) Fodder production Mixed cropping External diversification Waging and trading Out-migration Collection of NTFPs Securing food

Understanding migratory grazing system Movement patterns Herds GPS data logging (April - November 2014) Herder’s understanding (through questionnaire) Resource distribution patterns Grass growth calendars through remote sensing Filed based biomass measurement / species composition 11 June 2014 Highlands (2700 m) Overlay analysis Optimum routes and timing for migratory grazing

Grasslands growth Calendar and patterns in the upper Indus Grasslands Growth Calendars across Elevation zones 500m 5000m April July The study presents climate patterns, grassland phenology, productivity and spatio-temporal climate controls on grasslands growth using satellite data over UIB of Himalayan region, Pakistan. Grasslands productivity is increasing along the elevation zones and alpine zone has significantly high productivity in comparison to temperate zone and sub humid tropical zone. Majority of the area exhibited greening trend which was strong in the humid subtropical zone and weak in the alpine zone. The relatively high browning trends is observed in Alpine areas.

Adaptation to Change: Developing Solutions and Sharing Across the HKH Enhancing ecosystem’s buffer capacity in withstanding shock and maintaining function. Focusing on adaptive capacity, transformability, and learning innovation in socio-ecological resilience HICAP Himalica AdaptHimal

ICIMOD on the OBOR ICIMOD & NSFC OBOR Conference by CAS OBOR Conference by NSFC ICIMOD & NSFC April, 2016: Bilateral Workshop on NSFC-ICIMOD Strategic Cooperation in Funding Joint Program, Chengdu

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