Climate change is an inevitable challenge to agriculture. In this paper we intend to gain insights into perceptions of climate change, its impacts, and the adaptation strategies adopted by the farming community in Nuwakot District. The study integrates (i) annual climate indicators for 1976-2019, (ii) yield for major cereal crops (paddy, maize, wheat, millet, barley) for fiscal years 2004/05–2014/15, and (iii) qualitative information from household surveys, field observations, and group discussions conducted in 2020 to assess perceptions of farmers on climate change, perceived impacts, and adaptation responses in Nuwakot District. The climatic trends were analysed using ordinary least squares regression and the Mann–Kendall test with Sen’s slope estimator and additionally, sub-period analyses (1976–1999 and 2000–2019) were used to identify shifts in hydro-climatic behaviour in Nuwakot District. The annual mean maximum, minimum, and derived mean temperatures increased by 1.06, 0.91, and 0.99 °C per decade, respectively (Mann–Kendall p < 0.001). Rainfall exhibited no significant monotonic trend over 1976–2019, but sub-period analysis indicated increasing rainfall in 1976–1999 (+16.98 mm/month per decade; p = 0.03) and declining rainfall after 2000, alongside decreasing relative humidity in 2000–2019 (−4.19% per decade; p = 0.001). The crop yields increased over 2004/05–2014/15, particularly paddy (+179.1 kg/ha/year; p = 0.0003) and maize (+126.8 kg/ha/year; p = 0.0019). The farmers perceived fewer rainy days, higher rainfall intensity, drying water sources, rising pest pressure, invasive plant spread, and irregular flowering/fruiting, and responded through an integrated set of measures: water harvesting and efficient irrigation (ponds, drip), microclimate protection (tunnels), improved varieties and cropping shifts, and organic soil enhancements (compost/vermicompost). These findings indicate rapid warming and changing hydro-climatic conditions. In the meantime, the study highlights locally grounded, practical adaptations that aid targeted support, especially for water security to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture in the mid-hills of Nepal.

Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) offer a platform to acknowledge the efforts and rights of diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). They embrace a variety of conservation categories, facilitate opportunities for sharing and learning, and foster conservation cooperation among countries at the regional level. The Hindu Kush Himalaya region, spanning the eastern, central, and western Himalayas, holds significant potential for regional cooperation and the establishment of transboundary OECMs. However, there are barriers and challenges that must be addressed. These include conflicts and contestations at both national and community levels, limited awareness about OECMs, and insufficient recognition of IPLC contributions to conservation efforts. A regional organization like ICIMOD has a pivotal role in advancing the OECM agenda. It can contribute by representing the region in global and regional forums, bridging the science-policy-practice gap, and serving as a platform for fostering regional alliances, fundraising, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. Collaboration with the CBD Secretariat and other global partners is equally vital. Such partnerships can help advance policy and practice enablers, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the CBD while addressing regional conservation priorities.

Camera traps placed in Nalgaad Municipality, Kuse Rural Municipality, and Barekot Rural Municipality of Jajarkot District, Karnali Province, Nepal showed a new distributional information for Siberian weasel Mustela sibirica. This finding helps fill gaps in our knowledge about the species' distribution, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the species' range.

Smooth‐coated Otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ) depends on riverine prey and bank habitat for foraging and scent‐marking, but evidence from the large, braided rivers in Nepal is limited. We assessed habitat correlates of latrine presence patterns and diet composition of Smooth‐coated Otter in the lower section (39 km) of the Karnali River. Latrine presence‐absence was surveyed across 70‐belt transects distributed along both banks of the river with 21.43% presence and modelled using generalised linear model (binomial) with river characteristics. Diet analysis was done through hard‐component analysis of 32 spraints and spraint placement was examined with measured distance from river and substrate type. The presence of latrine sites decreased with increasing proximity to settlement, river width and water velocity, and was lower at sites with a retaining wall. Spraint placement analysis showed that higher spraint counts were observed with increasing distance from river ( r = 0.481, p = 0.0046) and the highest count on sand substrate. Diet from spraint analysis revealed dominance of fish species followed by crabs and birds. Fishing net was observed in 46.9% of analysed spraints, indicating frequent interaction with fishing gear. Our findings suggest that maintaining escape cover, limiting bank modification and reducing fishing gear exposure should be prioritised to improve habitat suitability and to reduce emerging threats in the Lower Karnali River.