International Journal of Horticulture, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 257-266 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/ijh 265 cash crop grown by 69.6% of households, was highly vulnerable to papery bark canker (64.1%), while beans and potatoes were severely affected by anthracnose (61.5%) and late blight (80%), respectively. Beyond agriculture, 85.71% of households reported collecting medicinal plants, with 85.41% of collectors noting reduced availability, underscoring the broader ecological stress affecting livelihoods, while most collector (58.33%) collects Yarshagumba (Ophiocordyceps sinensis). The correlation analysis further revealed critical livelihood dynamics. Climate change awareness was strongly associated with perceptions of declining medicinal plant availability, while reduced availability was linked to diminished income from medicinal plants. Income decline, in turn, was negatively correlated with migration, suggesting that resource scarcity and income loss are driving mobility. Education played a dual role: it enhanced awareness of climate change but reduced dependence on migration, highlighting its potential as a buffer against climate-induced livelihood insecurity. Larger household size was also positively associated with dependence on medicinal plant collection, reflecting both increased needs and labour availability. These findings point to a feedback loop where climate change erodes ecological resources, undermines household income, and compels migration. To break this cycle, integrated adaptation measures are essential. Policy efforts should prioritize strengthening the medicinal plant value chain, expanding technical support for greenhouse-based orchard management, and scaling up community-based monitoring of biodiversity and climate impacts. At the same time, investment in rural education and vocational training is critical to reduce reliance on migration and build adaptive capacity. By linking ecological sustainability with livelihood diversification, households in Jumla can become more resilient to the accelerating risks of climate change. Authors’ contributions PD conceived of the study, designed the research framework, and coordinated the overall work. NP conducted data analysis, performed the statistical interpretation, and contributed to manuscript drafting. KP and BN were responsible for survey design, data collection, and initial data entry. DS, NB and PC participated in the literature review and contributed to the interpretation of results. AS assisted in guiding, data visualisation, and manuscript editing. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. References Aryal J.P., Sapkota T.B., Khurana R., Khatri-Chhetri A., Rahut D.B., and Jat M.L., 2014, Climate change and agriculture in South Asia: Adaptation options in smallholder production systems, Environ. Dev. Sustain, 16(6): 1465-1485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-014-9513-x Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), 2021, Statistical year book of Nepal 2021, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal. Dahal P., Kafle K.R., and Shrestha S., 2021, Trends and impacts of climate change in Nepal: A review, Climate, 9(8): 136. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli9080136 Dahal P., Shrestha M.L., and Shrestha A.B., 2021, Climate change in Nepal: Observations and projections, J. Clim. Dev, 13(4): 312-327. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2020.1857658 Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), 2024, JJAS 2024 preliminary precipitation and temperature summary, Government of Nepal. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2021, The state of food and agriculture 2021: Making agri-food systems more resilient to shocks and stresses, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4476en Gentle P., and Maraseni T.N., 2012, Climate change, poverty, and livelihoods: Adaptation practices by rural mountain communities in Nepal, Environ. Sci. Policy, 21: 24-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2012.03.007 Gentle P., and Thwaites R., 2016, Transhumant pastoralism in the context of socio-economic and climate change in the mountains of Nepal, Mt. Res. Dev, 36(2): 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-15-00011.1 Gentle P., Karki S., and Maraseni T., 2024, Governance of climate change adaptation in Nepal: Opportunities and barriers for locally led adaptation, Clim. Policy, 24(5): 678-692. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2024
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