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Climate perceptions of local communities validated through scientific signals in Sikkim Himalaya, India

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Abstract

Sikkim, a tiny Himalayan state situated in the north-eastern region of India, records limited research on the climate change. Understanding the changes in climate based on the perceptions of local communities can provide important insights for the preparedness against the unprecedented consequences of climate change. A total of 228 households in 12 different villages of Sikkim, India, were interviewed using eight climate change indicators. The results from the public opinions showed a significant increase in temperature compared to a decade earlier, winters are getting warmer, water springs are drying up, change in concept of spring-water recharge (locally known as Mul Phutnu), changes in spring season, low crop yields, incidences of mosquitoes during winter, and decrease in rainfall in last 10 years. In addition, study also showed significant positive correlations of increase in temperature with other climate change indicators viz. spring-water recharge concept (R 2 = 0.893), warmer winter (R 2 = 0.839), drying up of water springs (R 2 = 0.76), changes in spring season (R 2 = 0.68), low crop yields (R 2 = 0.68), decrease in rainfall (R 2 = 0.63), and incidences of mosquitoes in winter (R 2 = 0.50). The air temperature for two meteorological stations of Sikkim indicated statistically significant increasing trend in mean minimum temperature and mean minimum winter temperature (DJF). The observed climate change is consistent with the people perceptions. This information can help in planning specific adaptation strategies to cope with the impacts of climate change by framing village-level action plan.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and Government of Sikkim for funding climate change studies, and Member Secretary, SCS&T, Vigyan Bhawan, Sikkim for encouraging the research. Special thanks to Dr. Shiva K. Sharma, Scientist C, IBSD-Sikkim Centre for his help and guidance during preparation of manuscripts. The authors also deeply acknowledge with many thanks to Mr. Pranay Pradhan (SCCC, Sikkim), Mr. Pritam C. Sharma (SSS, JNU, New Delhi), Dr. S. Nawaz Ali (BSIP, Lucknow), and Mr. Dharmendra Lamshal (NCBS, Bangalore) for their encouragement and valuable suggestions.

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  1. State Climate Change Cell, Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology, Vigyan Bhawan, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim, 737102, India

    R. K. Sharma & D. G. Shrestha

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  1. R. K. Sharma
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Correspondence to R. K. Sharma.

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Sharma, R.K., Shrestha, D.G. Climate perceptions of local communities validated through scientific signals in Sikkim Himalaya, India. Environ Monit Assess 188, 578 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5582-y

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