It is now generally accepted that climate warming is having a significant impact on the Himalayas. One of its effects is that glaciers are thinning and retreating throughout much of the region. This is accompanied by formation of melt-water lakes, both on the glacier surface and in front of them.
The Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative is
a collaborative effort of ICIMOD, the United Nations
Environment Programme, and partners in the three countries.
It was initiated through an extensive consultative process,
and launched with an Inception Workshop and Consultation
Although flash floods are by their nature difficult to predict and control, it is possible to reduce the risk to lives and property through different measures. This information sheets summarises the major causes of flash floods in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, and the different approaches that can be used to reduce the potential impacts.
The Koshi river has drawn the attention of scientific, engineering, and political leaders for decades. During the colonial era, the British rulers of India were concerned about the floods and high sediment load of the river and they aimed to control flooding in the Koshi delta in Bihar.
Adaptation and mitigation are complementary and should not be perceived as mutually exclusive approaches: In the HKH region, adaptation and land-based mitigation are intimately linked and
are not mutually exclusive; mitigation activities can become an important complement to adaptation initiatives and, as such, should be supported by regional policy and enabling frameworks.
