{"id":19357,"date":"2023-09-15T00:01:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T16:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sar-climate.adpc.net\/?p=19357"},"modified":"2023-09-19T14:54:51","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T06:54:51","slug":"climate-change-lessons-from-the-local-government-in-assam-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sar-climate.adpc.net\/index.php\/2023\/09\/15\/climate-change-lessons-from-the-local-government-in-assam-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate Change Lessons and Local Government Experiences from Assam, India"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>7 Minute, 56 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>

[vc_row parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”19501″ parallax_speed_bg=”3″ css=”.vc_custom_1694703836666{background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1694155939882{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”350px”][vc_btn title=”Flooded Settlements at Majuli Island, Assam, India (Photo by: Pallav Gopal Jha)” size=”xs” align=”left” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-info-circle” css_animation=”fadeIn” add_icon=”true” link=”target:_blank”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]The riverine island of Assam-Majuli, in the North-eastern part of India, is affected by floods and river erosion during the monsoonal period.<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2017, during the flood season, the early warning dissemination from upper riparian states indicated a possible breach in the dam could inundate the low-lying village areas.<\/a><\/p>\n

I reached the village of Karotipar to rehabilitate the locals to the relief camps. The Mishing tribes consist of the majority of residents in the flood-affected village.<\/a><\/p>\n

The inhabitants build high-stilt traditional houses (designed with century-old architectural knowledge, which allows them to stay safe along rivers and during high flood seasons for ages).<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”19499″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”19500″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”fadeInRight”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]The tribal groups usually stay close to their belongings, anticipating the loss of livestock and property during flood season.<\/a><\/p>\n

I talked to the village head to rehabilitate the households to the government relief camps. Thousands of people and animals were eventually sheltered.<\/a><\/p>\n

That year, the beautiful, pristine Majuli Island, nestled amid the mighty Brahmaputra River, faces its worst floods in the decade.<\/a><\/p>\n

After sunset that day, the upper reaches receive heavy rainfall, and the water of the Subansiri River rises almost 5 feet in a few hours.<\/a><\/p>\n

We started receiving emergency calls from the village head pleading for help. My phone battery died soon after the communication. <\/a><\/p>\n

The response mechanisms are challenging post-daytime, and the possibility of loss of life rises even more. Despite timely early-warning system (EWS) dissemination and preparedness, huge losses and damages were incurred that year.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n

What has changed?<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]Has the river morphology or the frequency of extreme weather events changed? I also often wonder has the human-environment relationship of coexistence or the human perceptibility of environment and lifestyle has changed.<\/a><\/p>\n

I talked to the village head to rehabilitate the households to the government relief camps. Thousands of people and animals were eventually sheltered.<\/a><\/p>\n

Or, as the Mishing tribes say \u2013 \u201cEverything has changed.\u201d<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”19425″ parallax_speed_bg=”2″ css=”.vc_custom_1694703786866{background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1694703672907{background-color: rgba(0,0,0,0.3) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;*background-color: rgb(0,0,0) !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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Everything has changed<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”50px”][vc_btn title=”Floods in Majuli, Assam 13 July, 2017. (Photo by Government of India)” size=”xs” align=”left” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-info-circle” css_animation=”fadeIn” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ffloodlist.com%2Fasia%2Findia-assam-floods-august-2017|target:_blank”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n

The world is committed to climate resilience, but risks are increasing manifold<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]International initiatives like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement promote climate adaptation measures to combat climate change through cooperation and collaboration.<\/a><\/p>\n

This sets a stage of hope to address climate challenges in vulnerable regions like South Asia. While the world is committed to resilience, climatic impacts are becoming more severe and increasing the communities\u2019 susceptibility.<\/a><\/p>\n

In the last few years, events like heat waves, wildfires in the European and South American region, extreme cyclonic events in Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and erosion and floods in South Asia were witnessed.<\/a><\/p>\n

The impact was exacerbated due to increased population, conflicts, and limited communities\u2019 access to basic resources.<\/a><\/p>\n

The COVID-19 crisis response mechanism was also complex. Apart from following the \u2018social distancing norms\u2019 to ensure safety, the basic resources had to be accessible to people across multiple locations.<\/a><\/p>\n

This was different than flood and cyclone response mechanisms, which start with rehabilitating the affected communities in safe centers till normalcy is attained.<\/a><\/p>\n

The pandemic demanded a paradigm shift in disaster response strategy as the socio-economic vulnerabilities were manifold, and existing risks can cause triggers leading to climatic disasters.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n

Stage of hope to address climate adaptation and resilience<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]India builds efficient climate strategies through its various policy interventions, international cooperation, and collaboration to implement \u2018human-nature interaction\u2019 actions at the grassroots level.<\/a><\/p>\n

The strategies integrate traditional best practices and knowledge that have prevailed through centuries.<\/a><\/p>\n

For example, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), Government of India, announced G20\u2019s first environment and sustainability group, emphasizing blue economy and coastal sustainability, restoration of degraded lands, and ecosystems enhancement of biodiversity and strengthening of the circular economy.<\/a><\/p>\n

India is also a Party to the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement. Under the Paris Agreement in 2015, India submitted its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) based on climate change priorities, sustainable development, poverty eradication, and economic growth.<\/a><\/p>\n

In August 2022, India updated its NDC targets to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030 from the 2005 level.<\/a><\/p>\n

Further, in November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy. India\u2019s long-term strategy lays the pillars of low-carbon development pathways.<\/a><\/p>\n

Similarly, states of India have developed State Action Plans on climate change. Assam\u2019s State Action Plan outlines strategies for water resources, floods and erosion, agriculture and forest, and biodiversity.<\/a><\/p>\n

The political will and leadership of the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanata Biswa Sharma, drives the implementation of such strategies.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=”.vc_custom_1694160202493{background-color: #000000 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/HkZDSqyE1do?si=IZz_6e-X7brdXQuq” align=”center”][vc_btn title=”Forest Man Documentary (Polygon Window Productions and Title Media)” size=”xs” align=”left” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-info-circle” css_animation=”fadeIn” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FHkZDSqyE1do%3Fsi%3DJh5UJEI7aBv5Gtgo|target:_blank”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]<\/p>\n

What other climate change lessons can be learned from Assam, India?<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]Within the Jan Bhagidari<\/em> (public participation), a mega plantation initiative called \u201cAmrit Briskshya Andolan<\/em>\u201d (afforestation drive) is being taken up.<\/a><\/p>\n

In the social context, the Indian traditional wisdom of \u201cvasudaiv kutumbkum<\/em>\u201d which means one earth, one family, one future value of all life, and interconnectedness of each other in the universe, promotes living in harmony with the ecosystem.<\/a><\/p>\n

The idea of “Terraforming,” explored in the book The Nutmeg\u2019s Curse by Amitav Ghosh, also explains how new ideas seek resource control and expansion.<\/a><\/p>\n

It can change the indigenous way of life and cause turmoil. Climatic events witnessed across urban cities worldwide and India can have similar impacts. This can be addressed through policy interventions to combat long-term impacts.<\/a><\/p>\n

Within this context, the dynamic changes in the landscape created by human interventions can be reversed using Nature-based Solutions (NbS).<\/a><\/p>\n

Jadav Molai Payeng, a Mishing tribal man of Majuli, developed one such NbS initiative. He created a thriving \u2018Molai Forest\u2019 of 1360 acres, now home to tigers, deer, monkeys, etc.<\/a><\/p>\n

Through his work, he has highlighted the advantages of NbS by creating a flourishing environment and reducing the risks of flooding and erosion.<\/a><\/p>\n

Majuli Island serves as a reminder that climate resilience encompasses both adapting to new realities and harnessing indigenous knowledge to forge harmonious alliances with nature.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column][vc_separator color=”green”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Pallav Gopal Jha<\/a><\/strong><\/span> is the District Commissioner of Kamrup Metro District in Assam, India.<\/i><\/p>\n

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