ABSTRACT
The limited knowledge regarding the vulnerability of mountain ecosystems and Himalayan landslides to climate change is inadequate. Intuitively it seems plausible that these regions, where small changes in temperature can turn ice and snow to water, and where extreme slopes lead to rapid changes in climatic zones over small distances, will show marked impacts in terms of landslide hazards that will have an impact on general human wellbeing. But the nature of the fragile mountains and poorly accessible landscapes with sparsely scattered settlements and poor infrastructure, means that research and assessment are least just where they are needed most. The Himalayan ecosystems to climate change as a result of their ecological fragility and economic marginality. The Himalayan region stands as a globally unique area for understanding the effects of global climate change. It is evident that the climate in the Himalayas has been fluctuating, but the intensity of fluctuations in warm and cold climate regimes in different parts of the Himalayan ecosystem are not synchronized. The Himalayan region’s complex topography and extreme altitudinal gradients. The diversity of services is in part the result of the geographic complexity, which exerts considerable influence over the weather patterns in the region. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, certain conclusions appear to be justified. Overall the assessment indicates that the magnitude of change increases with elevation in relation to both temperature and precipitation, and further that climate change effects are likely to occur faster and be more pronounced than the global average. Natural hazards in the extreme relief of the mountains, coupled with monsoonal vagaries, has left communities vulnerable to water-related natural hazards ; over the past three decades, the region has witnessed an increased frequency in events such as floods, landslides, mudflows, and avalanches affecting human settlements. An increase in temperature will result in a rise in the snow line, and species are expected to shift to higher elevations. Climate change affects human wellbeing directly through extreme weather events and indirectly through its effects on ecosystems – the foundation of human wellbeing. This paper shall be deals with the ecosystems and Himalayan landslides due to impact of climate change. The paper shall also suggests the recommendations for adaptation and risk reduction strategies for Himalayan landslides along with appropriate preventive and protective remediation measures required due to impact of climate change.
