Unveiling High Mountain Communities’ Perception of Climate Change Impact on Lives and Livelihoods in Gilgit-Baltistan: Evidence from People-Centric Approach

ABSTRACT

Climate change poses a significant threat to the lives and livelihoods of the local communities in high mountain regions. This study examines the perception of climate change and its impact on the lives and livelihoods of high mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan. Empirical evidence was gathered through four focused group discussions and thirty in-depth interviews with the local communities in Darkut and Shishkat areas. This study found that the local communities perceive a noticeable change in temperature patterns in terms of an increase in average temperatures and shorter winters. Such changes lead to the melting of glaciers and subsequently frequent floods during summer. The communities argue that a decrease in snowfall and alterations in the timing of snowfall directly affect the region's water supply. These changes impact the region's key livelihood activities, such as livestock rearing and agriculture, leading to reduced productivity, and an increased reliance on external food sources. This study emphasizes the urgent need for community-based adaptation strategies and support for climate-resilient livelihoods in these regions. It underscores the importance of incorporating the perspectives and experiences of high mountain communities when formulating policies and strategies to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change in mountainous areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural livelihoods
• climate-induced hazards
• community-based adaptation
• mountain communities
• climate communication

Acknowledgment

We extend our sincere gratitude to the participants of the study who voluntarily took part in the focused group discussions. Their valuable contributions and willingness to share their perspectives were essential to the success of this research. We would also like to express our appreciation to the anonymous reviewers for their critical and insightful comments and suggestions. Their feedback played a vital role in enhancing the quality of the paper significantly.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Informed consent

A detailed consent form was developed and distributed among the potential respondents of the study and only those people were considered as respondents of the study who gave their willingness to participate in the survey voluntarily.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.