Climate Change and High Altitude Wetlands of Arunachal Pradesh

The high altitude wetlands (HAWs) are an important category of natural wetlands found mainly in the higher reaches of the Himalayas. HAW is a generic term to describe areas of swamp, marsh, meadow, fen, peat-land or water bodies located at an altitude higher than 3000 m, above mean sea level, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or saline. In general, HAWs are areas located at altitudes between the continuous natural forest border and the permanent snowline. 

                                          A panoramic view of Shungatser Lake            

Arunachal Pradesh is ranked second in India after Jammu & Kashmir with 1672 HAWs covering a total area of 11,864 ha, accounting for about 7.6% of total wetland area of the state. Maximum number of wetlands are of small size (below 10 ha). There are no wetland of very large size (above 500 ha) in the state. Only 3 wetlands having an area of 100-500 ha have been observed². However, very little scientific information is available for the most of these wetlands due to the remoteness, harsh climatic condition and inaccessibility of the terrain of the region. None of the HAW of the state is considered under the Ramsar site.

Nagula Lake situated at 4120 masl in Tawang 

The high altitude wetlands of Arunachal Pradesh play significant role in maintaining hydrological and ecological balance in the upstream and downstream regions. They are the source of many major rivers like Tawangchu, Nyamjangchu, Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Dibang, and Lohit, these all are important tributaries of Brahmaputra³. They support rich diversity of gymnosperms, rhododendrons and rare medicinal plants species and provide suitable habitat for rare and threatened high altitude fauna like red panda (Ailurus fulgens), takin (Budorcas taxicolor), Chinese goral (Nemorhaedus griseus), red goral (Naemorhedus baileyi), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster)⁴. HAWs are considered as sacred for their cultural and traditional belief by Buddhist community especially in Tawang, West Kameng, West Siang and Lohit districts. They are also considered as carbon sinks.

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is very sensitive to climate change. As per Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) report, the annual mean surface air temperature is projected to increase from 0.9±0.6⁰C to 2.6±0.7⁰C in the 2030s in IHR⁵. Arunachal Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change (APSPCC) has projected that maximum temperature will increase by 2.2⁰C to 2.8⁰C during 2030s as compared to baseline i.e. 1961-1990 and towards 2080s the increase is projected by 3.4⁰C to 5⁰C. Minimum temperature is projected to increase by 1⁰C to 2.6⁰C during 2030s and by 2.8⁰C to 5⁰C during 2080s. Water resource, forest and biodiversity are projected to be adversely impacted by climate change by 2030s in Arunachal Pradesh.

The fragile ecosystem and unique climatic conditions of HAW are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. They are characterized by extreme cold, dry and alpine climate conditions, particularly due to low air temperature and higher ultraviolet radiation. Researchers have also predicted hydrological and ecological response of high altitude wetlands to climate change in Himalayan region^1,7.

Climate change impact on HAWs can be visualized as most significant because they provide numerous ecological services, support unique biodiversity, important for carbon sequestration, maintaining hydrological balance, livelihood benefits to dependant populace and have religious significance among indigenous communities. Therefore, there is an urgent need to undertake in-depth research studies for sound database and formulate comprehensive climate change mitigation and adaption strategies for conservation and management of pristine and vulnerable ecosystem of HAWs of Arunachal Pradesh. Education, awareness programmes, traditional ecological knowledge and community participation may also be encouraged to combat the climate change impact on HAWs of Arunachal Pradesh.
(Current Science)