Filling critical data gaps in High-Altitude Environments of the Himalayan Region

This paper addresses the critical need for high-altitude weather, climate, and environment monitoring in the Himalayas, where the impacts of climate change, such as water and food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and increased extreme events, are increasingly felt. Despite the region’s vulnerability, existing climate monitoring infrastructure remains inadequate, with past efforts to install Automated Weather Stations (AWS) often failing due to sustainability challenges related to maintenance and upkeep. The proposed solution leverages the strategic location of monasteries in remote, high-altitude regions, which serve as centers of teacher-student traditions, many of which are occupied year-round, and can provide secure sites for AWS installation. By training monks, nuns, and lamas to maintain these stations, this approach aims to fill critical data gaps and strengthen adaptation strategies for local communities with the monastic practice of spreading wisdom by fostering community awareness about climate change. Furthermore, this approach addresses potential logistical and bureaucratic barriers, such as permissions within national parks, and using private monastery properties with established accessibility. The project seeks support for equipment installation, volunteer training, and collaborative research to create a robust, sustainable monitoring network while contributing to the global understanding of high-altitude climate dynamics.