Uttarakhand, Himachal: Research study to gauge impact of climate change on tribes at higher altitude
The change in climate and the weather pattern is impacting the lives of the people the world over. In India Mountain ecosystems, particularly in Himalayan regions are highly vulnerable and sensitive to climate change. So there is need to highlight the value and vulnerability of the world's mountain regions, and to make recommendations for sustainable mountain development in the face of climate change. MF's partner Mountain Form Himalaya which from time to time raises the consequences of climate change is conducting a study to delve into the effect of climate change on the quality of life of people, mainly tribes living in higher Himalayas (at altitudes of 6,000 feet and above) agriculture, impacts on biodiversity & wild life, on health, women and climate change and frequency of natural disasters. The sample size is 100 households for a total population of around 2000 households in the five blocks of the five higher mountain districts from Uttarakhand and Himachal. The regions to be covered are- Munsiyari in Pithoragarh district, Maleri, Tapovan and Mana in Joshimath block Chamoli district, Bhatwari, Raithal, Barashu Uttarkashi district in Uttarkashi, Mori in Uttarkashi and Kelong and Lahul/ spiti districts. The following activities will be undertaken uneder the study.
- Action based Research/ Study on Climate Change at Higher Himalayas
- State level presentation of findings
- Capacity building programs for elected women representatives on rights, roles and responsibilities
- Coordination and administration
Madhya Pradesh: Ensuring food security and dignified life for Korku tribe
Nutrition has been a core area Madhyanchal Forum is working on. MF's partner SPANDAN SAMAJ SEVA SAMITI is making efforts to ensure food security and dignified life for Korku tribe in Madhya Pradesh by addressing hunger and preserving its aboriginal culture. Korku tribe is lesser known and nutritionally vulnerable is found predominantly in parts of central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Madhya Pradesh their major habitation is in Khalwa block of Khandwa district. Here they number 2, 12,000 across 147 villages in 86 Panchayat. Korku tribe has been known in recent years for alarming rate of malnutrition and death among their children below six years. According to NFHS-IV survey, 49.9% children are underweight, 23.2% are wasted and 46.8% are stunted. The high proportion of stunting is a matter of concern as it indicates the state of chronic hunger. The following are the objectives of the intervention by Spandan Samaj Seva.
OBJECTIVES
- Ensure Household Food Security through revival of millet & traditional crops.
- Promote diet diversification through extensive behavior change communication
- Preserve And enrich the endangered Korku language
- Undertake policy Influencing to help Korku tribe included in PVTG category, Korku being adopted as language of learning in preschool and elementary levels and Government promote Millet production, procurement and distribution through PDS.
Rajasthan: Action plan to boost agricultural sustainability
Crop productivity in Rajasthan varies from one agro-climatic zone to other and is low to moderate in comparison to national productivity due to various reasons. MF through its partner Rajmeru is striving to boost agricultural sustainability by improving soil health and increasing effective use of water with latest techniques such drip irrigation, protected farming and sprinklers etc. For this it has chalked out an action plan to ensure provision of all these services to poor and marginal farmers who holds a large chunk of agriculture which requires more input to make it sustainable.
Tentative Plan of Action:
- Action based Research in 3 Regions with 50 most poor and marginalized farmers in each Panchayat. 3 Panchayats in each area will be selected for the research. Study will be focused on-vulnerability situation/context, critical issues/challenges and way forward, Involvement of local partners and people's organization will be ensured.
- Regional Sharing and Inputs from experts will be collected through One Day Dialogue in Jodhpur (Western), Jaipur (Eastern) and Udaipur (Southern), participation of KVKs, Govt. Agriculture department and CSOs will be ensured.
- Consolidation of report and using outputs at state and national level.