Download Project title Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP)

Project title
Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP)
Country / region: India /South Asia
Context (general and related to relevant area):
Climate change poses a serious threat to social and
economic development in India and in particular to the
Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) due to its dependency
on climate sensitive sectors and natural resources for
sustaining livelihoods. In the current policy context,
there is challenge and opportunity to integrate and link
community level experience and actions in IHR with
the national and state level policiy imperatives and
vice versa. The articulation of practice-science-policy
connect as a two-way process, is critical for
addressing the future vulnerabilities and uncertainties
posed by climate change.
Relevance of intervention:
The programme responds to the felt needs of the climate
vulnerable people in the mountain regions, increasing
stress on natural resources, and national/state
government action on climate change. The programme
aligns with the National Action Plan on Climate Change
and specifically, the National Mission on Sustaining
Himalayan Ecosystem. The initiative is within ambit of
GPCC’s aim of ‘Managing the Unavoidable’ and within
framework of 0.5% GNI Bill passed by the Swiss
Parliament. Climate adaptation in mountains especially in
Himalayas is gaining importance at national, regional and
international policy level.
Key results and insights from previous phases:
This is the first phase of the new project.
Overall goal: The resilience of vulnerable communities in
the Himalayas is strengthened and knowledge and
capacities of research institutions, communities, and
decision-makers are connected and enhanced.
Outcomes (objectives) of the phase:
- Communities implement sustainable adaptation
measures based on a functional cooperation among
relevant stakeholders and on available solutions
- Stakeholders better understand and further develop
their understanding related to scientific dimension of
climate change dynamics and scenarios on snow,
glaciers and water flows
- Himalayan States review and integrate climate
change aspects in their development policies,
planning and action
Key outputs of the phase:
Collaborative methodology for climate vulnerability and
risk assessment in the IHR; multi-stakeholder functional
cooperation for developing and implementing innovative
adaptation measures.
Scientific collaboration in the field of glaciology, hydrology,
climatology, and adaptation among Indian and Swiss
Institutions resulting in human and institutional capacity
building.
Policy and Knowledge sharing platforms and mechanisms
for dialogue on adaptation strategies and policies between
Himalayan States are strengthened (including capacities)
resulting in climate change compatible policies and action.
Target group: The main target groups are
communities in the Kullu district of the State of
Himachal Pradesh (HP) in the first stage and
expanding to mountain communities in IHR; Scientists,
researchers and practitioners working on glaciology,
hydrology, climatology and vulnerability assessment
and adaptation; and Institutions and organisations
involved in policy formulation and implementation.
Coordination and synergies with other projects and
actors: The project will draw synergies with SDC’s
programme on “Climate Resilience through Risk Transfer
(RES-RISK). Swiss project partners are involved in
ongoing EU “High Noon” project India. Coordination with
existing projects and regional initiatives/projects by
ICIMOD will also be made through Indian partners.
Implementing partner:
Resilience building: Government of Himachal Pradesh;
Scientific cooperation: Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India (GoI); Swiss
Universities (Geneva, Zurich, Berne).
Policy: Ministry of Environment and Forest, GoI
Other partners: GB Pant Institute for Himalayan
Environment and Development, Himachal Pradesh
Council for Science and Technology, Sikkim University,
Himachal Pradesh Centre for Climate Change
Duration of phase: 2012 to 2015