The HKH Assessment: Chapter Structure 

The Steering Committee of HIMAP, which includes Dr David Molden, Dr Eklabya Sharma, Dr Atiq Rahman, Dr Linxiu Zhang, Dr Yao Tandong, and Professor SP Singh, created the following chapter structure for HIMAP in September 2014 at the first Steering Committee meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since then the structure has been updated. 

Chapter 0:               “Summary for Decision-makers”

Working Group 1:      Defining the Vision and State of Knowledge

Chapter 1:               “Introduction: Setting the Scene: HKH Region”

  • Global Asset
  • Risks of Inaction
  • Threats
  • Vision for Sustainable Mountain Development

(To be drafted by HIMAP Steering Committee)

Chapter 2:   “State of Knowledge and Trends”

  • Land-Use Patterns (Agriculture, Rangeland, Wetlands, Forests, Cryosphere, Water Systems, Geological Assets)
  •  Biodiversity 
  • Ecosystem Services 
  • People, Culture, and Society
  • Mountain Livelihoods (NTFP, MAPs, PES)

Working Group 2:  Drivers of Change and Integrated Future Scenarios

Chapter 3:           “HKH Drivers: Local, Regional, and Global”

  • Climate Change
  • Disasters, Droughts and Floods 
  • Invasive alien species (IAS)
  • Energy (hydropower, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biomass)
  • Air Pollution
  • Economic Growth and Industrialization
  • Trade
  • Migration/Remittances
  • Built fabric/Construction Techniques
  • Urbanization
  • Technology, Mobility, and Communications
  • Land Pollution and Solid Waste 
  • Land Use and Land Cover Changes, Deforestation 
  • Water Pollution

Chapter 4:   “Climate Change in the HKH” 

  • Physical Sciences Modeling of Climate Change linked to the 4 Scenarios (linked to the IPCC scenarios)
  • Impacts and Vulnerability
  • Glaciers

Chapter 5:   “Future Scenarios”

  • “Green/Eco- Scenario” (Environmentally Friendly, organic farming, inclusive development)
  • “Economic Growth and Industrial Scenario” (Less attention to Environment more large hydropower, more monocultures, more timber industries)
  • “Business as Usual Scenario”  (following present trends and being influenced by global economy)
  • “Sustainable Mountain Development Scenario”

Impacts of Each Scenario on: Economics/Equitability; Ecosystems; Biodiversity; Securities: Food, Water, Energy, Livelihoods

Working Group 3: Sustainable Development in the HKH

Chapter 6:     “Sustaining the HKH ecosystem services”

Maintain forests, wetlands, rangelands, Reverse degradation, Biodiversity conservation, with focus on Carbon sequestration and carbon management (REDD+),Sustainable Agriculture, Connecting Himalayan communities through global programs, Valuing of ecosystem services and payments – recognition of Himalayas as an ecosystem providing region of global significance, source of green economy 

Chapter 7:      “Meeting Future energy needs (Energy Security)”

                                                 Hydropower and dams; Biomass; Alternative and clean                                                    energy.

Chapter 8:              “Water Availability and Use (Water Security)”

                                                 Water for food; Energy; Ecosystem; Small-scale                                                                  irrigation; and farm and household use. 

Chapter 9:       “Achieving Food Security”

Food security situation on ecological zonation basis; Transportation, accessibility and distribution of food; Strategies for food security in mountains; Crops varieties, intensification for food security; Market factors; Wildlife crop depredation, compensation, crop insurance; Natural calamities: floods, hail storms, drought, snow storms; Agro-biodiversity and gene pool (seeds) conservation. 

Chapter 10: “Air Pollution”

Chapter 11: “Mountain poverty, vulnerability and livelihoods”

Chapter 12: “Adaptation Strategies”

Chapter 13:                 “Gender and Inclusive Development (indigenous                                                      groups, ethnic minorities)”

Chapter 14: “Migration”

Chapter 15: “Governance and Institutions”

Chapter 16: “Country-Specific Implications of Sustainable                                                            Development”

Conclusion/Chapter 17: “Recommendations for Policy Makers”