36 Indian Res. J. Ext. Edu. 14 (2), May, 2014 Determinants to Climate Change Adaptation among the Brokpa Pastoral Nomads of Western Arunachal Pradesh Sanjit Mait 1 , S.K. Jha 2 , Sanchita Garai 3 , Arindam Nag 4 , R. Chakravarty 5 , K. S. Kadian 6 and B. S. Meena 7 1. Scientist, N.R.C. on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, 2 & 6. Principal Scientist, 4. Ph. D Scholar, 5. Scientist (SG), 7. Sr. Scientist, Dairy Extension, NDRI, Karnal, 3.Scientist, Eastern Regional Station, NDRI, Kalyani, West Bengal Corresponding author e-mail: sanjit.ndri@gmail.com ABSTRACT Transhumance system of livestock rearing is a source of livelihood among the Brokpa pastoral nomads inhabiting in the climate sensitive yak tracts of Arunachal Pradesh. This primitive pastoral nomad has their own traditional coping mechanisms as adaptation strategies. The present study was designed to identify the determinants of differential adoption of adaptation strategies by the Brokpa pastoral nomads of western Arunachal Pradesh. A representative sample of 240 Brokpa pastoral nomads from all the yak rearing tracts of Arunachal Pradesh was selected as respondents for the present study. Multinomial logit model was used to assess the determinants of differential level of adoption of adaptation strategies among the pastoral nomads of western Arunachal Pradesh. It is found that extension contact and ratio of the productive animal in the herd showed significant positive effect on adoption of adaptation strategies among the pastoral nomads. Key words: Adaptation; Climate change; Multinomial logit; Pastoral nomads; The Monpa is a primitive tribe inhabiting parts of West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. They constitute more than 80 per cent of the population of the two districts. The Monpas who are inhibiting in the highland of these two districts are mainly depended on livestock for their livelihood and it is also reported that 62 per cent of their livelihood requirements is provided by yak ( Poephagus grunniens L.) (Ramesha and Bhattacharya 2008). The pastoral nomad of the Monpa tribe is popularly known as Brokap (tenant herdsmen) and transhumance system of livestock rearing is their main source of livelihood. The future of transhumant pastoralists depends on the way they will manage their stay and livestock in over stocking winter grazing land (Pant, 2010). But in recent past, the Brokpa pastoral community is facing newer challenges due to the dwindling population of yak, degradation of high altitude pastures, and subsequently shortage of feed and fodder. But, now-a-days, these challenges transform in to threat as a synergistic effect of impending climatic change in the one of most vulnerable and fragile ecosystem of mountain ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh. But, this pastoral nomad also followed their own adaptation strategies to cope up with changing climatic scenario. More recently, adaptation to climate change and variability has also come to be considered an important response option worthy of research and assessment, not simply in order to guide the selection of the best mitigation policies, but rather to reduce the vulnerability of groups of people to the impacts of climate change, and hence minimize the costs associated with the inevitable ( Kane and Shogren, 2000; Smit and Pilifosova, 2001). Adaptation refers to adjustment in ecological, social or economic systems in response to actual or expected climate stimuli and effects or impacts. It is often heard about different adaptation strategies like micro-environment modification like shelter management, ventilation in shelter, heat alleviation by water cooling or sprinkler system; strategic nutrient supplementation etc. But, we are trying to forget the ground reality that out of 529.7 million livestock, 440 million livestock reared by 100 million household with/ without any housing system and by crop residue. But, pastoral nomads have their traditional mechanism to cope up with changing climatic scenario for sustainable