Kathmandu, August 17

The government is preparing to begin second phase of work on developing climate smart villages by mid-September.

According to Department of Environment, second phase work will begin in all 13 districts where first-phase work was completed last month. The government had introduced the concept of climate smart villages last year to enhance the adaptation capacity of locals against the impacts of climate change.

Environmental Adaptation Section Chief at the department Mohan Dev Joshi said climate smart villages programme focuses on adaptive means by identifying possible disasters.  “For instance, Ramechhap is often hit by drought. So water pumping or water collection related programmes will be implemented there,” he told The Himalayan Times, adding, “In the second phase, solar energy related programmes will be implemented in all 13 climate smart villages.”

According to DoE, Okhaldhunga, Saptari, Siraha, Ramechhap, Bhaktapur, Lamjung, Gorkha, Rukum, Rolpa, Kaski, Surkhet, Kanchanpur and Kailali are 13 districts where Climate Smart Village Programme has been introduced.

The government plans to develop 150 climate smart villages across the country. The Ministry of Population and Environment has set targets for climate smart villages to meet. These include water-smart practices, carbon- and energy-smart practices, agriculture-smart practices, bio- diversity-smart practices and knowledge-smart practices.

Water-smart practices comprise rooftop rainwater harvesting and wetland conservation. Carbon- and energy-smart practices comprise use of improved cooking stoves, compost manure in plantation and use of renewable energy.

Similarly, agriculture-smart practices comprise use of improved livestock sheds, integrated pest management, drip irrigation and green house tunnels. Biodiversity smart practices comprise home gardens and community nursery. While knowledge-smart practices comprise strengthening the capacity of local communities and concerned stakeholders.