KASKI, Oct 1: Annapurna Rural Municipality in Kaski has raised concerns from the world-renowned Annapurna Base Camp, calling attention to growing climate risks in the Himalayan region and demanding climate justice.
The rural municipality, which suffered extensive damage from floods, landslides and river erosion during this year’s monsoon, held a special executive meeting on Wednesday at Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,130 metres.
Rural Municipality Chair Bishnu Bahadur KC said the meeting was organised to draw attention to the impacts of climate change in the mountains, the need for climate justice, protection of the Himalayan region and stronger resilience among local communities.
Repeated floods in the Modi and Kimrung rivers in July and August damaged hotels, roads and other infrastructure, while settlements including Birethanti and Syauli Bazaar remain at risk.
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Floods also washed away paved roads, cutting off the tourist village of Ghandruk from direct road access to Pokhara for 40 days. The rural municipality has yet to complete a full assessment of the damage.
“This monsoon, Annapurna Rural Municipality was hit by floods, landslides and river erosion. Erosion by the Modi River in particular caused extensive damage in several areas,” KC said. “From Annapurna Base Camp, we are drawing attention to the impacts of climate change on local infrastructure, agriculture, transportation, tourism and the lives of local communities.”
KC said the Annapurna region is a fragile Himalayan area experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns in recent years have increased pressure on mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, mountains and glaciers, water resources, agriculture and local livelihoods.
The rural municipality concluded that local governments alone cannot cope with the growing risks of floods, landslides, river erosion and extreme rainfall linked to climate change.
The meeting stressed the need for policy support, technical assistance and adequate funding from the federal and provincial governments. It also called for better access to climate finance, research support and stronger coordination among the three tiers of government.
KC said the call for climate justice from Annapurna Base Camp extends beyond the Annapurna region, as it concerns the Himalayas, mountain communities, biodiversity, water resources and broader climate protection.
Rural Municipality spokesperson Bharat Man Gurung said the meeting reviewed the municipality’s overall climate and disaster risks, available data and national and international priorities. It decided to prepare an Annapurna Climate Resilience Action Plan and incorporate it into municipal policies, plans and budget processes.
The municipality will also prepare climate risk and vulnerability maps for all 11 wards. These maps will guide risk sensitive planning and land use management.
Gurung said the meeting also decided to conduct necessary studies, establish partnerships and allocate funds to develop a local early warning and emergency communication system. The system will focus on climate-related hazards, including rainfall, rising river levels and landslides.
The municipality will develop climate resilient infrastructure standards and a risk assessment system for the construction and management of roads, bridges, trekking trails, drinking water systems, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure.
The meeting also decided to maintain regular records of losses and damage caused by climate-related disasters and gradually integrate available data on disasters, infrastructure, climate and tourism.
