Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP)

Climate change poses a serious threat to social and economic development in India and in particular to the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). Scientific capacities to understand changes in this region are therefore critical. The project aims at stregthening the capacities of Indian institutions in climate science, with a specific focus on glaciology and related areas, as well as institutional capacities of Himalayan states in India on adaptation planning, implementation and policy.

Current scientific evidence suggests instability in the Himalayan ecosystem as result of climate change impacts and increased uncertainty. Vulnerability is also increased as a result of cascading effects of changes in composition and distribution of natural resources – water, forest and agro-biodiversity. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is also facing increased frequency and duration of extreme weather events and natural hazards. There is potential for changes in river flows due to climate and non-climate induced stressors, which can impact local livelihoods and long-term food security of the country.

Strengthening understanding and related policy

In response, the IHCAP programme builds on three pillars: enhancing capacities and knowledge of the Himalayan ecosystem through collaboration between Indian and Swiss scientific institutions; institutional strengthening in the Himalayan state on adaptation planning and implementation; and linking science and community level action to policies across IHR. The programme supports India’s National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), a mission of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). In particular, the programme aims to strengthen the information base and institutional capacities, leverage international and local financial resources and develop strategic partnerships towards supporting and facilitating the implementation of the NMSHE and related State Action Plans on Climate Change in the Himalayan States.

Creating the conditions for moving ahead

The programme focuses on increasing institutional and scientific capacities in the field of glaciology and related areas by a consortium of Swiss and Indian scientists guided by an Indo-Swiss Joint Working Group, knowledge and capacity of stakeholders in the area of adaptation planning and implementation at state level in Himachal Pradesh, and dialogue among Indian Himalayan States on adaptation policies and planning. The project offers a good opportunity for generating and disseminating ‘globally relevant’ local knowledge, developing innovative solutions to address climate change impacts on communities in the mountains and deepening international understanding of the issues.