COMMUNITY-BASED CLIMATE RISK GOVERNANCE FOR HERITAGE: THE GUTHI MODEL IN KATHMANDU VALLEY

Climate change is increasing floods, heat waves, landslides, and water stress in South Asian cities and is testing formal climate and disaster governance. In Kathmandu Valley, these hazards affect dense ensembles of temples, courtyards, ponds, and ritual routes that form a living urban heritage landscape. This study examines how the Guthi system, a long-standing community institution, governs climate-related risks in these heritage spaces.The research draws on qualitative case studies of Guthi-managed complexes in inner city and peri-urban neighborhoods of Kathmandu Valley. It uses key informant interviews with Guthi leaders and members, priests, municipal officials, and heritage and disaster focal persons, focus group discussions with women and youth where feasible, field observation of physical conditions, and review of relevant policies and plans.Respondents report more intense short rainfall events, frequent waterlogging, longer dry spells, and higher heat stress. These changes appear as damp and eroding walls, cracked plinths and timber, silted and shrinking ponds, unstable slopes, and damaged paths and open grounds. Guthi responds through routine cleaning of drains and inlets, desilting of ponds, minor structural repairs, and care of trees and courtyards. These actions work as everyday climate risk reduction even when people do not describe them as adaptation.