Local communities in Nepal actively participate in livestock climate change vulnerability study

and farmers’ field tour

Research reported by Dr. Durga D. Poudel Project leader of Livestock for Climate Change-CRSP SLPS

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, LA

• What are the different agricultural crops grown in this area? • Are there any problems in agricultural production? • Have there been any changes in agricultural farming in recent years? • Have there been changes in household income? • What steps have been taken to adapt to these changes? • What benefits are you getting from the forest? what types of changes has the

forest resources experienced in recent years (and why)? • How have these changes on forest conditions impacted agricultural production?

and what have you done to cope with these changes on forest resources? • Have you noticed any new diseases in goats, cows, and buffalo in the past 10

years? • How have these new diseases affected you? and what changes have you made in

response to these diseases? • Have you noticed any changes in pregnancy rates in goats, cows, and buffalo in the

past 10 years?

Focus Questions

• How have these changes in pregnancy rates have affected you? • What changes have you made in response to the changes in pregnancy rates? • Have you seen or noticed any change in your water supply in terms of quantity

or quality (quantity – levels gone up or down, quality – any noticeable smell, taste or clarity (muddy) problems)?

• If there are changes, how have those changes affected you? • What have you done to adapt to these changes? • Do you know of anyone using wells for water supply? • Have you noticed any landslide, flood, and/or soil erosion problems on your

farm? • In your opinion what are the major causes of these natural hazards? • What type of economic loss or loss of life and property are caused by these

hazards? • What are you doing to prevent and to minimize effects from these hazards?

• Have you noticed any changes on soil fertility or soil quality in recent years? • What changes on soil fertility management you have made? • What fertilizer and manure rates do you apply to your land? • How is the level of help from your husband on household chores such as

fetching water, washing clothes, fetching fuel woods, etc. in recent years? • Has the involvement of women of social and community activities increased

in recent years? • Have you been consulting any governmental agencies or organizations

seeking help for solving your problems? • Have you been receiving any help from your VDC, politicians, and other

agencies? • Do you have any plans for overcoming your problems? • What are the limitations or constraints to coping/solving these changes?

Local communities welcome the SLPS project Team with garlands, red powder, flowers, and small pieces of coconuts in the Thulokhola watershed in Nuwakot.

Dr. Tim Duex (left) and Dr. Griff Blakewood, (right) enjoying a traditional greeting in the watershed.

The watershed community welcomes the research team with water and flowers as they climb the hill.

Two CLG members await the arrival of the research team in Bedpani in the Thulokhola Watershed

The SLPS research team in the watershed.

Livestock climate change focus group meeting in Bhasme (3859 ft asl).

Livestock climate change focus group meeting in Deurali (3782 ft asl).

 Livestock climate change focus group meeting near Bhangeri (3402 ft asl).

 Livestock climate change focus group meeting in Betpani (3428 ft asl).

 Livestock climate change focus group meeting in Chapleti, Khanigaun (2208 ft asl).

 Livestock climate change focus group meeting at the bottom of the watershed (1470 ft asl).

 Farmers’ field tour for the CLG members.

 The CLG members observe a dairy farm in Chyangli, Gorkha.

  The CLG members observe a dairy farm in Chyangli, Gorkha.

 Mr. Rajendra Raj Panta gives a brief orientation about his dairy farm to the participants.

 The tour participants are ready to go back home after completing the tour of the dairy farm.