Locals in the Everest region report experiencing the direct consequences of climate change, with food security emerging as a growing concern.
Organic cereal farming in the Everest region, including wheat, barley, and buckwheat, has seen a sharp decline in recent years due to erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, and prolonged dryness.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, a resident of Solukhumbu district, told state-owned news agency RSS that extreme weather conditions have forced many locals to leave their arable land uncultivated.
“The lack of water, irregular rainfall, and deteriorating soil fertility have made farming increasingly difficult,” Sherpa said. “The yield is minimal.”
Women and children, in particular, are bearing the brunt of declining agricultural production, facing nutritional deficiencies due to reduced access to locally grown, nutrient-rich food.
“Pregnant women and newborns are at high risk when nutritious food is scarce,” said Ngimdoma Sherpa, a local health worker. “This can lead to severe health complications for both mother and child.”
National and international reports have already highlighted the severe impact of climate change on human lives and agriculture in the upper hilly and mountain regions, warning of long-term consequences if the trend continues.
With dwindling harvests, locals have become increasingly dependent on imported food, which is often of lower quality, further affecting public health.
Tenjing Jangbu Sherpa from Chhukum in the Khumbu region raised concerns over the steep decline in crop yields. “Buckwheat yield has significantly dropped,” said Sherpa, attributing the decline to climate change.
As a result, many farmers are now reconsidering their traditional occupation, questioning the sustainability of agriculture in the face of worsening environmental conditions.
(RSS)
