Revealed: How Climate Change in the Himalayas is Redefining Women’s Power and Influence

The Shifting Roles of Brokpa Women

Once leading her yaks to alpine pastures, Tashi Lhamo now spends her days in a kitchen. This transformation epitomizes the drastic lifestyle changes brought by climate change in the Himalayas. The warming climate has forced many Brokpa communities to abandon their traditional yak herding practices.

Over the past few decades, rising temperatures have made it difficult for the Brokpa to rear yaks, their primary source of livelihood. This has led to a significant shift in gender dynamics within these communities, especially affecting women’s roles and independence.

Women like Tashi, who once enjoyed a degree of autonomy and economic independence, now find themselves confined to household duties. The transition from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle has resulted in a loss of power and influence for many Brokpa women.

As Tashi recalls her past life, she expresses a deep sense of loss. “I was my own boss. Now, I have to ask my husband for literally everything,” she says, highlighting the disempowerment she feels in her new role.

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Climate Change’s Impact on Yak Rearing

Yak herding, a cornerstone of Brokpa culture, is increasingly threatened by rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns. The survival of yaks, which thrive in cold climates, is at risk, leading to a decline in the number of yak herders.

Efforts to adapt to these changes include the development of heat-resistant yak hybrids by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research-National Research Centre for Yak (ICAR-NRCY). However, these efforts have not been sufficient to reverse the trend.

As a result, many Brokpa families have given up yak herding and moved to lower altitudes. This migration has not only altered their economic activities but also disrupted their social structures and customs.

• Significant reduction in yak herders from approximately 3,000 to 1,800 in two decades.
• Former yak herders now work as petty traders, laborers, or subsistence farmers.
• Brokpa women have lost the relative equality they once enjoyed in their nomadic lifestyle.

Gender Dynamics in Transition

In Brokpa settlements, women participated actively in local governance through the mangma councils. Although not often leaders, they still held some influence. However, this has changed in the agricultural communities they’ve integrated into.

These communities are traditionally male-dominated, with men holding most decision-making power. Women like Tashi Lhamo, who try to engage in local governance, often find themselves acting as proxies for their male relatives.

Moreover, the economic independence Brokpa women enjoyed through practices like khor dekpa (fraternal polyandry) is now in decline. This system allowed women to manage family resources and maintain economic stability, roles they no longer hold in their new communities.

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“In the mountains, we could sell yak products at will,” Tashi explains. But in their new environment, women are largely dependent on their husbands’ income, further eroding their independence.

Challenges and Hopes for the Future

The Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 aimed to ensure equal pay for equal work. Despite this, many Brokpa women find themselves earning less than their male counterparts in their new roles as laborers. This disparity reflects broader societal challenges women face.

Tashi’s attempt to participate in local governance was met with resistance. Despite being elected to the panchayat, she found her role was largely symbolic. “I attended all meetings, but the real decisions were made by men,” she says, highlighting the gender biases entrenched in their new communities.

Looking to the future, Tashi hopes for greater recognition of women’s leadership potential. “The ideal scenario for Brokpa women is to remain in pastoral life with formal recognition of their leadership,” she says, acknowledging the challenges of achieving this dream.

As climate change continues to alter the landscape of the Himalayas, it is crucial to address the gender disparities exacerbated by these changes. Empowering women like Tashi Lhamo could be a key step towards building resilient communities capable of adapting to an uncertain future.

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