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Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Health in the Solukhumbu Region

Impact of Climate Change on Women’s Health in the Solukhumbu Region

In a revealing experience from Somare, a village in the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality of Solukhumbu, a 34-year-old Sherpa woman has shed light on the significant impact of climate change on women in the Sagarmatha region. Her irregular menstrual cycle, which improved temporarily after treatment in Kathmandu, worsened upon her return to her village, suggesting that the local climate might be playing a role in this recurring issue.

She shared, “I believe the change in the weather here is contributing to this problem.” Many women living in high-altitude areas of the Khumbu region are increasingly facing issues like irregular periods and infertility. According to health workers in the Khumbu area, many women visit health facilities with reproductive health concerns.

Some women suffer in silence, while others seek medical help only when problems become severe. Reports of prolonged menstruation, abnormal bleeding, and fertility issues are becoming more common. Another Sherpa woman from the region, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “In the past, these issues did not exist, but over the past 15 years, the changes here have had a significant impact on women. It’s not just me; many of my friends have similar reproductive health issues. Irregular periods, excessive bleeding, and miscarriages are now common problems for us women, though men do not seem to be as affected.”

Unseasonal snowfall and rising temperatures in the Himalayan region have had a direct impact on reproductive health, with the changing climate exacerbating these problems. Many women in the region are unable to receive timely medical advice, which often worsens their condition. Resident Sangma Rai observed, “In recent years, heavy snowfall has been occurring during the months of Chaitra and Baishakh instead of the usual winter months of Poush and Magh. The seasons are changing, and it’s affecting us all.”

Climate change has added unexpected challenges to the health of women in the Sagarmatha region. Local business owners report that the Khumbu Glacier is shrinking, and the base camp is deepening. Tourism entrepreneur Sange Sherpa noted, “The base camp is turning into a pit every year, and this is not a good sign.” The changing environment is not only affecting local ecosystems but is also having a significant impact on women’s lifestyles and health. Activist Prajita Karki explained, “Women are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to these changes, both at home and in the mountains. We must unite to prevent and find solutions to these issues.”

Health workers in the Khumbu region emphasize the long-term effects of irregular menstruation on women’s health. Issues such as infertility, a decline in childbirth capacity, and mental health challenges are being linked to climate change. According to health worker Dimdoma Sherpa, climate change might be affecting women’s hormonal balance, leading to these problems. To address this, specialized health plans and counseling services are necessary.

Dr. Sanjeev Tiwari, General Secretary of the Nepal Medical Association, further explained that the physical and mental effects of hormonal imbalances due to climate change are contributing to the region’s reproductive health issues. “We’ve observed the impact of climate change on women here, but this requires in-depth research and study. It is not a trivial matter. If we continue to ignore it, the women in this region may face severe reproductive health issues in the future,” he warned.

The agricultural yield in the Khumbu region has also been declining due to changing climate conditions. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa from Khumjung shared, “It has become difficult to grow crops like wheat, barley, and millet now. Fields that once yielded abundant harvests are now left fallow.” The reduction in agricultural production is directly impacting women’s nutrition and overall health. Locals in the Khumjung region note that once-productive Himalayan crops have ceased to grow. Health experts warn that this decline could significantly affect the nutrition of both children and women in the area.

The glaciers in the Sagarmatha region are melting at an accelerating rate, and areas once known as base camps for climbers are now at risk of landslides. Tourism business owner Karma Sherpa, who has been operating in the region for 15 years, remarked, “The glaciers at the base camp used to be pristine and visible, but now, the base camp looks like a pit, and we can even see the Kala Patthar peak.” In the past decade, the rate of glacier melt has significantly increased.

Local expert Pasang Sherpa explained that the rise in local temperatures and the litter left behind by climbers are having a direct impact on the glaciers. The Sagarmatha region is one of the most directly affected Himalayan regions by climate change. Unseasonal snowfall, irregular rainfall, and abnormal temperature rises are altering the local climate. “Snow used to fall in Poush and Magh, but now we’re seeing snow in Chaitra and Baishakh. This is disrupting the environmental balance,” said Ghorakshep businessman Hira Kulung. He noted that such changes are threatening both the biological and physical structure of the mountains, from the base to the summit.

A recent report by UNESCO highlighted the increasing pace of glacial melt in the Himalayan region. Experts argue that the waste left by climbers is contributing to the temperature rise in the area. Plastic waste, food packets, and other non-biodegradable items reflect sunlight, which further accelerates glacial melt. According to local entrepreneur Pasang Sherpa, climbers leave behind their waste when they leave the region, exacerbating the environmental damage. “The once sparkling glaciers have now turned black, and this is a clear sign of the impact of climate change,” said Lamakaji Sherpa from Namche.

Experts stress the urgent need for collective action to address the environmental and social challenges faced by the Sagarmatha region. Dr. Rajan Thapa, an environmental expert, explained that industrial activities in powerful nations and global warming are directly affecting the Himalayan region. UNESCO’s report confirms that the rise in temperature poses a significant threat to natural heritage sites worldwide. If the pace of global warming is not halted, the temperature could rise by over two degrees Celsius, which would have severe consequences for the glaciers in the Sagarmatha region.

To mitigate the effects of climate change, national and international efforts are crucial. “If global warming continues at this pace, the glaciers in Sagarmatha will disappear within a few decades,” warned Dr. Thapa. The impact of climate change on women’s health and livelihoods in the region underscores the need for in-depth studies and comprehensive solutions. To protect the health of women in the high Himalayas, more research, healthcare expansion, and concrete steps to reduce climate change are necessary.

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