Adapting to the new normal: Challenges and strategies for landlocked Asian mountainous countries in the face of extreme climate events
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5564/mjgg.v62i46.4123Keywords:
Landlocked mountainous countries, National Adaptation plans, Climate adaptation strategiesAbstract
The aim of this investigation is to assess the compounded vulnerabilities of landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) in association with global warming, due to their geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and socio-economic fragility. Employing a literature review, policy analysis, and comparative case studies, the paper evaluates specific climate impacts and adaptation strategies of Nepal, Bhutan, and Mongolia. Key findings indicate severe hydrological fragility resulting from glacier melt and permafrost degradation, transportation disruptions affecting economic stability, and degradation of essential ecosystem services vital for rural livelihoods. Each country exhibits unique adaptive approaches; Nepal emphasizes ecosystem-based adaptation and integration of local traditional knowledge, Bhutan prioritizes risk assessment and resilient hydropower development supported by innovative financing, and Mongolia focuses on climate-smart herding practices coupled with advanced early warning systems. Conclusions highlight the urgent need for tailored international support, increased regional cooperation, and integrated climate policy frameworks. Practical recommendations include expanding remote sensing technologies for cryosphere monitoring, establishing basin-level councils for coordinated water resource management, scaling community-based adaptation programs utilizing traditional ecological knowledge, transitioning to sustainable tourism models, and advocating for LLDCs issues within international climate negotiations. Addressing these structural vulnerabilities is essential for sustainable development, resilience-building, and regional stability in mountainous LLDCs.
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