Drought is an insidious natural hazard with far-reaching impacts that range from economic losses to losses in agriculture and livelihoods. Meteorologically, ± 19% deviation of rainfall from the long-term mean is considered ‘normal’ in India. Deficiency in the range 20 – 59% represents ‘moderate’ drought and more than 60% is ‘severe’ drought. Drought can cause or exacerbate water, food and national security hazards. Rainfall, temperature, evaporation, vegetation health, soil moisture, stream flow etc. are some of the critical parameters/indices that are used in drought risk analysis.

• Dams/reservoirs and wetlands to store water

• Watershed management

• Water rationing

• Cattle management

• Proper selection of crops for drought-affected areas

• Soil-conservation techniques

• Reducing deforestation and fire-wood cutting in the affected areas

• Alternative land-use models for water sustainability

• Checking of migration and providing alternate employment

• Education and training of the local people

• Participatory community programmes

• Improvement in agriculture through modifying cropping patterns and introducing drought-resistant varieties of crops.

• Management of rangeland with improvement of grazing patterns.

• Introduction of feed and protection of shrubs and trees.

• Development of improved storage facilities, protection of surface water from evaporation and introduction of drip irrigation system.

• Animal husbandry activities can help in mitigation with use of improved and scientific methods.

While India has strong drought assessment capabilities, there is need to enhance capacity for early warning and impact monitoring, particularly in light of climate change impacts, which can further compound the challenge of drought monitoring for early warnings because of wide variability in rainfall pattern even at local levels.

1. Enhancement of real time monitoring capabilities at a regional level through training and joint monitoring programmes.

2. Improvement in methodologies and analytical tools for drought analysis and vulnerability assessment at the local and regional level.

3. Organisation of joint training programmes to build human capacity in improved resilience towards drought.

4. Effective and collaborative implementation of drought relief programmes.

5. Strengthening effective water and commodities supply system.

6. Capacity of all stakeholders at different levels and especially PRIs and ULBs should be enhanced for development of locally relevant climate resilient plans addressing both adaptation and mitigation needs. Fiscal devolution is critical to empower PRIs. Hence, the plans need to look at efficient delivery mechanisms at all levels for access and utilisation of funds.

1. Further strengthening of the observational network for drought monitoring to bridge the gap between the existing and desired meteorological and hydrological monitoring network.

2. Improvement in information and communication technologies in an integrated manner for tackling the multifaceted challenge of drought at various spatial scales.

3. Capacity enhancement for medium and long range drought forecasting.

4. Better coordination among ministries and departments.

5. Developing mechanism for context specific and need based forecasting including local language for better understanding.

6. Developing comprehensive tools for integrated drought management and reservoir operation during drought periods based on various drought climate scenarios and water saving actions.

The below mentioned programmes are a combination of both institutional and technological innovations that aim to mainstream participatory planning for collective management of natural resources, climate change and drought in one of India’s most climate sensitive and drought prone regions. The lessons learnt from Development Alternatives’ experiences of drought management in Bundelkhand can be used in other drought prone areas of the country.

Through integrated soil and water conservation programmes over the last 30 years, Development Alternatives has rejuvenated more than 30,000 hectares of land in Bundelkhand, an extremely drought prone region in Central India. Construction of more than 250 water harvesting structures such as check dams, farm ponds, gabions, counter trenches have helped increase groundwater level in this drought prone region.

Agriculture is the foundation of the rural economy of Bundelkhand, with 90% of the population being dependent on agriculture as their primary livelihood. However, agricultural systems in Bundelkhand are largely rain-fed and therefore vulnerable to climate change impacts. Such impacts are adversely impacting hydrology, soil conditions and ecosystem services consequently resulting in declining agri-productivity and livelihood stress.

Development Alternatives has been advocating smart agricultural practices in the region and supporting almost 30,000 farming communities by delivering complete package of practices for drought resistant and low water requirement crops.

Agro-forestry models i.e. the growing of seasonal crops along with perennial trees have been demonstrated on farmers’ fields to promote awareness on the ability of such models to restore soil heath and productivity, improve water recharge and reduce soil erosion losses. Development Alternatives is currently working with almost 20,000 tribal communities in the region to promote this sustainable model. Economically important species and varieties adapted to local soil and weather conditions such as Teak, Gulmohar, Shisham, Bamboo etc. and fruit species such as Gooseberry (Amla), Guava, Lemon, Karaunda, Custard Apple, Indian Plum (Ber) and Jackfruit have been planted so that there is wide species diversity on the farms. The practice of agro-forestry has enhanced livelihood security through the creation of multiple revenue streams for the farmers, aided nutrition security of the farmers’ households and also created ecological niches that have allowed the conservation and regeneration of local biodiversity. q

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