Outlook on climate change adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

that might impact human health, and Bangladesh additionally have strategies to address drought. There has been an increase in heatwaves, and water- and vector-borne diseases (especially malaria) that require timely attention (INCCA, 2010). Additionally, poor access to health services, low quality health care, and poor child and maternal health remain key challenges in the HKH countries (Mohanty et al., 2017). Key health risks arising from potential hazards such as reduced snow cover, glacial melting and ecosystems degradation are not mentioned by any of the HKH countries in their policy documents. In order to make informed policy decisions, there is a need for targeted research and better understanding of the direct and indirect links between climate change and human health. This includes the policies taking better account of the impacts of the slow or sudden onset of climate and extreme events on human health. Furthermore, there is a need for better post-disaster recovery measures to prevent the spread of diseases and reduce the vulnerabilities to trafficking and violence, especially of/towards women and children. Tourism The majority of the HKH countries have tourism policies and strategies in place, and some countries have also begun to recognize that the impact of climate change can be a limiting factor for this sector. For example, climate change may increase the frequency of mountain-relevant hazards such as avalanches, GLOFs and landslides in mountain areas, thereby destroying infrastructure essential for tourism more regularly, including roads, bridges and mountain trails, in addition to posing a risk to religious sites and human life. However, climate-related issues are not specifically considered in existing policy documents. Apart

Monks in Thimphu, Bhutan

from Nepal, that address reduced snow cover, and Bangladesh that recognizes that tourism can aggravate ecosystems degradation, adaptation measures are not present in the strategies of the HKH countries. Furthermore, existing security issues and budget limitations are also a major hindrance to the sector’s development in some countries. Although the sector could benefit greatly from transboundary cooperation (e.g. pilgrim routes through neighbouring countries to religious sites/locations), only India and Nepal highlight this as a need.

The tourism policies acknowledge the negative impact of an influx of tourists on the mountain environment and the ensuing need for sustainable management. However, there is a gap in terms of anticipating the potential adverse impacts of climate hazards on this sector. Furthermore, the sector needs to be better prepared for the increasing number of tourists visiting the mountains due to frequent heatwaves in lowlands. The policies also need to have a mechanism in place to take care of tourists when extreme events occur.

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