## SUMMARY
The Koshi River in Nepal is prone to recurrent flooding. Local communities have been using their indigenous resources and knowledge to manage disasters through local institutions. However, government-led initiatives have largely ignored these institutions, resulting in missed opportunities to utilize proven and widely accepted practices at the local level to address the problem.

Policy Brief No 2, April 2023

Strengthening traditional institutions for community-based disaster risk reduction 

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## SUMMARY
Designing local development plans that consider site specific hazard risks is crucial. However, this consideration is often overlooked, even in areas with high hazard risks, resulting in significant damage to public resources. This policy brief examines the challenges that arise from ignoring local conditions by using Gobargada, a flood-prone village in Eastern Nepal, as a case study. In this village, local people construct houses using easily disassembled, cost-effective, and easily repairable local resources, whereas the government school consists of permanent concrete buildings that were destroyed due to the shift of the river channel, a regular occurrence in the region. Such inconsistencies in the government’s programs reflect a complete disregard for local circumstances. In conclusion, local governments must prioritize local knowledge in disaster risk reduction to create more sustainable and resilient communities.



Policy Brief No 1, April 2023

Disaster-Proofing Our Communities: The Urgent Need for Local Governments to Prioritize Development Based on Risk Assessment

# SUMMARY
Agriculture is vital for livelihoods in Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Local communities in these countries have developed unique farming systems well-adapted to their environments. This includes the use of local crop varieties with unique traits like flood, drought and disease resistance. Thus, community resilience to disasters was in place for centuries. However, such practices are at risk due to the promotion of foreign and/or hybrid seeds. This policy brief draws case studies from Nepal, India and Bangladesh, and highlights the value of local crop varieties in strengthening community resilience to disasters.

Policy Brief 3.pdf

Local crop varieties strengthen community resilience to disasters: a policy brief for Nepal, India and  Bangladesh

# SUMMARY
Floodplain areas in Nepal have been prime locations for agriculture-related activities, as these areas can be easily irrigated and consist of nutrient-rich soil. However, with the expansion of agricultural infrastructure in other areas (e.g., irrigation systems, chemical fertilizers, high-yielding seeds), many of these floodplains are now abandoned due to the risks of potential flood hazards. The Government of Nepal should focus on harnessing economic opportunities in these areas. This requires tailored-made programs focusing on agriculture production, animal husbandry, fisheries, and  nature-based tourism.

Policy Brief 4.pdf

Reinvigorating neglected land: a policy brief for harnessing economic opportunities in river flood-plain

# SUMMARY
Landslides and soil erosion represent two common phenomena in mountainous regions, induced by heavy rainfall, floods, and human activities along the slopes. The practice of using vegetation to enhance slope stability is established in mountainous areas in Nepal and is deeply ingrained in traditional farming management, such as hedgerows, slope site plantation and agroforestry. Such techniques are gradually diminishing within the newer generations due to shifts 
in livelihood practices and a growing emphasis on engineering-based solutions. We advocate the integration of these practices into local development programs, which predominantly prioritize costly measures like embankments, gabion walls, and roadside canals. This shift not only offsets cost but also provides multiple benefits, including soil protection, the increase of green spaces, and biodiversity. There is a need for guidelines to promote traditional knowledge of planting vegetation on verges and slopes for slope stabilization.

Policy Brief 5.pdf

Traditional knowledge of planting vegetation on verges and slopes for slope stabilization needs to be  promoted in the local development program

# SUMMARY
Indigenous knowledge and weather forecasting have played a crucial role in helping coastal communities in Bangladesh predict and prepare for extreme weather events. This knowledge, passed down through generations, has proven to be a valuable weapon against the devastating impact of cyclones, floods, and other weather-related disasters in this vulnerable region. Combining this wisdom with modern meteorological science can enhance the region’s resilience in 
the face of climate change and its associated challenges.

Policy Brief 6.pdf

Indigenous knowledge and weather forecasting: A weapon to predict extreme weather events

# SUMMARY
Salinity intrusion is a significant issue in coastal areas of Bangladesh, particularly during the dry season, and it poses various challenges for agriculture, drinking water, and overall livelihoods. The local communities are practicing different adaptation strategies based on the learning from the ground context. These local adaptation practices such as long-distance piped irrigation technique, water reservoir development, raised bed farming system and rainwater 
harvesting technology are very prominent in mitigating the adverse effects of salinity in coastal Bangladesh. Efforts to manage and mitigate soil salinity are crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity in coastal regions of Bangladesh, where millions of people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and food supply.

Policy Brief 7.pdf

Local practices to mitigate salinity problem in coastal Bangladesh: Lesson from the ground reality

SUMMARY
Nepal’s diverse physiography, comprising the Himalayan north, hilly middle region, and Terai plains in the south, shapes distinct land use practices. Traditional wisdom in land use, driven by an understanding of the environment and disaster vulnerability, is being disrupted by rapid changes, notably driven by road construction. Linear settlements along floodplains, accelerated by road construction and hydropower projects, raise concerns about disaster risk. Challenges stem from the indiscriminate use of land, reflecting poor planning and the absence of a comprehensive land-use policy considering disaster risk. This is driven by multiple factors such as high out-migration for labor market abroad, rural to urban migration and change in livelihoods from agriculture to service-based. Policy recommendations include strategic land use planning, zoning regulations, and geographical vulnerability assessments to mitigate risks. There is need of incentives for safe settlement practices, nature-based solutions, and a strengthened legal framework to promote sustainable land use practices in Nepal.

Policy Brief 8.pdf

Disasters in the Mountains of Nepal: The Impact of Poorly Planned Development Irrespective of Landforms

SUMMARY 

Cultural beliefs, myths, and faith are integral components of local knowledge and practices, playing an important role in strengthening community responses to disaster risk reduction through various pathways. Firstly, these aspects influence people’s understanding of the risks associated with disasters (e.g., risk perception) and their responses to such events. Gobargada Village in the Koshi region serves as a living example of how cultural beliefs, myths, and faith deeply influence community life. These traditions not only shape the identity of the residents but also act as strong
pillars during the times of crisis. They are often intertwined with natural elements, historical events, local landscapes, and ecosystems, reflecting a deep understanding of the environment and its challenges. This policy brief suggests recognizing and incorporating cultural beliefs, myths, and faith into disaster plans, using Gobargada as a case study. It proposes that local governments value and promote these cultural elements into broader resilience strategies

Strengthening traditional institutions for community-based disaster risk reduction

SUMMARY

Reference

Similar:

Disaster-Proofing Our Communities: The Urgent Need for Local Governments to Prioritize Development Based on Risk Assessment

Local crop varieties strengthen community resilience to disasters: a policy brief for Nepal, India and Bangladesh

Reinvigorating neglected land: a policy brief for harnessing economic opportunities in river flood-plain

Traditional knowledge of planting vegetation on verges and slopes for slope stabilization needs to be promoted in the local development program

Indigenous knowledge and weather forecasting: A weapon to predict extreme weather events

Local practices to mitigate salinity problem in coastal Bangladesh: Lesson from the ground reality

Disasters in the Mountains of Nepal: The Impact of Poorly Planned Development Irrespective of Landforms

The Role of Cultural Beliefs, Myths, and Faith Needs to Be Acknowledged in Strengthening Community Response to Disaster Risk

Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences

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