The past few decades have seen significant increases in global temperatures resulting in climate changes and frequent occurrence of extreme weather conditions mainly due to human induced factors. The IPCC (2001) reported that global temperatures are expected to rise between 1.4oC and 5.8oC by 2100. The impacts on the natural environment would be dire if strenuous efforts are not taken to limit emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), especially carbon dioxide.

As a member of the global community, Nepal has suffered from the consequences of these aberrant climate changes—retreating glaciers, increasing glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), frequent occurrence of extreme floods, and droughts. A collective effort is required from all the stakeholders, decision makers, and professionals to mitigate the impacts of this global threat.

Analysis of observed temperature and precipitation data in Nepal is limited. One of the reasons is the relatively short length of time— about 30 years—that data has been recorded. Available studies have shown that temperatures in Nepal are increasing at a rather high rate. Shrestha et al. (1999) analyzed 49 stations in Nepal and found that there was consistent warming since the mid- 1970s that continues today. They found that the average increase in annual temperatures between 1977 and 1994 was 0.06 oC. Warming is more pronounced in the higher altitude regions of Nepal, such as middle-mountain and the Himalayas while it is significantly lower or even absent in the Terai and Siwalik regions. Further, warming in the winter is more pronounced compared to other seasons. Compatible with projections made in climate models, the two warmest years in Nepal were 1998 and 1999.

Similar analysis on precipitation data in Nepal did not indicate significant trends but show significant warming. It is inferred that the Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau, being is correlated with several large-scale climate logical phenomena, including El Nino (Shrestha et al., 2000). Warming observed in Nepal is also observed in the Tibetan Plateau. In the Tibetan Plateau, warming is more pronounced in higher altitude stations than in lower ones (Liu et al., 2002). In contrast, the widespread lowland areas of India do not elevated regions of the globe, are more affected by climate change.

Thus fundamental changes in agricultural systems, adaptation of eco friendly technology, promotion of local knowledge are needed for rural communities in less developed countries to adequately adapt to climate change. The changes in agricultural systems and their management that are needed to enable the rural poor, resource managers and policy-makers to adapt to these stresses and challenges will not come about in sufficient time unless the local technologies are developed and the best of delivery mechanisms are put in place.