The Anthropogenic Effects on Mountain Watersheds: Lessons From the Global South

This paper investigates the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on mountain watersheds, using the Hindu Kush Himalayan region as a case study. It examines how changes in the cryosphere, driven by global warming, lead to significant consequences for water quality, agriculture, and the livelihoods of lowland communities that depend on these watersheds as a freshwater source. The study examines adaptation strategies in the Global South and compares it with those in the Global North, highlighting innovative, low-impact approaches from the South that could inspire more sustainable practices in the North by bridging local and global knowledge. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive and context-sensitive management strategies to mitigate further degradation of mountain watersheds and preserve them for future generations.