Low-cost mitigation strategies for community resilience in the Trans-Himalaya to address food and water scarcity in changing environment.

Food and water scarcity in high altitudes of the Trans-Himalayan landscape are being seen as impacts of climate change, which is characterized by prolonged winters with sub-zero temperatures for a longer period. Average daily temperature from Oct to Mar (2020-21) ranged from - 6.73 ± 1.55 to 6.85 ± 1.93 °C; however, fluctuates between - 10.5 °C (minimum) and 4.6 °C (maximum) on a typical day. With minimal rainfall, agriculture is limited to one season in these cold deserts thus limiting the land productivity. The changing scenario affects water availability for agriculture and otherwise in the villages located at further high altitudes dependent on snowmelt flow in nearby streams. This study explores the potential of extended cultivation during winters using low-cost inputs by comparing different technological options for temperature retention for vegetable cultivation. It further demonstrates the role of peoples' participation in developing zero-energy artificial ice reservoirs (water harvesting technology through capturing and storing water in the form of ice) in winters to make water available in the following growing season. With site-specific modifications, an artificial ice reservoir was created by the villagers in 2020-21 which provided additional water for irrigation and was timely available (14 days in advance). Using this additional water, a barren area was brought under the plantation to meet futuristic wood and fodder requirements. Confidence building (knowledge gathered, interventions to solve the major problem of water scarcity) through locally adaptable solutions (portable polyhouse, ice reservoir, increased plant productivity) motivated high altitude villagers in Trans-Himalayan to combat threats of climate change.