Climate change is no longer a distant threat for the tribal communities of Andhra Pradesh—it is an unfolding reality reshaping landscapes, altering ecological relationships, and disrupting livelihoods sustained for generations.
This was evident at the State-level workshop on “Building Climate-Resilient Tribal Communities through Integrated Governance,” held on 28–29 November 2025 in Rajahmundry, jointly organized by LAYA, the Tribal Welfare Department, and the Environment, Forest, Science and Technology (EFST) Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Tribal leaders, community representatives, NGOs, and government officials came together to share lived experiences, offering powerful collective reflections on vulnerability, resilience, and the urgent need for responsive governance.
Leaders such as Andala Mangireddy, Kurangi Prabhavathi, Ponda Bonjababu, Kathula Suggireddy, Marigela Narsamma, Saramkota Abbaireddy, K. Jaya Prakash, Koppu Pandamma, and M. Prakash, representing various mandals of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Parvathipuram Manyam districts, described the profound ecological shifts affecting their regions. Seasonal patterns once understood with precision have become unpredictable—monsoons arrive late or with sudden, intense rainfall, while dry spells last far longer. This instability has disrupted traditional agricultural rhythms and practices passed down through generations.
Speakers recalled how millets, tubers, wild greens, mushrooms, and other indigenous foods once formed the backbone of tribal diets but are now dwindling. Soil moisture retention has declined, affecting crop productivity. Streams that once flowed year-round now dry up abruptly, leaving hilltop habitations in distress. Soil erosion and minor landslides have become common, stripping fertile topsoil and destabilizing slopes. Invasive species like lantana proliferate, reducing native plants vital for food, fodder, and medicine.
Forests—central to tribal identity, nutrition, health, and culture—are undergoing rapid change. Traditional forest foods such as leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and medicinal roots are becoming scarce, signalling deep biodiversity loss. Forest fires, triggered by both natural and human causes, are increasing in frequency and intensity, leaving degraded landscapes where medicinal plants like sarpagandhi and nelavemu once thrived. Shrinking forest cover has increased human–wildlife conflict, including the widening “monkey menace,” which causes crop loss and disrupts village life.
These ecological disruptions have created serious public health challenges. Participants noted rising cases of kidney ailments, heart disease, anaemia, and reproductive health issues—conditions previously rare among tribal populations. Traditional healers expressed concern over the disappearance of medicinal plants, which weakens community-based healthcare systems.
Agriculture, still the primary livelihood source, has been severely impacted. Farmers are struggling with mono-cropping systems that are no longer viable under erratic rainfall. Soil erosion, declining fertility, and increased dependence on chemical fertilizers have reduced yields. Access to timely seeds, crop insurance, and irrigation remains inadequate. Market intermediaries continue to dominate procurement, reducing earnings and discouraging cultivation of traditional crops.
Despite these hardships, the workshop highlighted strong foundations of resilience. Participants emphasized returning to mixed cropping, intercropping, and millet cultivation to improve soil health and drought tolerance. Community seed banks were identified as essential for preserving traditional varieties. Restoration of tanks, canals, check dams, and gravity-based irrigation structures emerged as a priority for improving water security.
Water scarcity surfaced as a central concern. Springs that supported villages for decades have weakened, and tanks have silted up or collapsed. Feeder channels are blocked by vegetation and debris, and many PVTG habitations face critical drinking water shortages. Contaminated water sources have led to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and gastroenteritis. These challenges are worsened by poorly maintained drinking water systems and broken infrastructure.
The workshop also documented the erosion of traditional livelihoods among forest-dependent households. Women who once collected wild greens, bamboo shoots, tamarind, hill brooms, and medicinal plants now struggle to find them. This scarcity has increased youth migration due to lack of livelihood diversification.
Concerns were also raised about unregulated tourism and commercial activities entering tribal regions, impacting water resources, generating waste, and creating pressure on land and cultural practices.
Yet, discussions pointed to promising pathways for adaptation. Participants emphasized that Gram Sabha authority and community autonomy, as guaranteed under PESA and the Forest Rights Act, must be central to climate action. Gram Sabhas should regulate Minor Forest Produce (MFP) management, oversee forest protection, ensure fair prices, and manage transit permits. Strengthening traditional agricultural calendars, promoting indigenous livestock, and creating value-addition units for forest and farm produce were identified as key to livelihood resilience.
Skill development emerged as a critical pillar. Initiatives such as tamarind processing, adda leaf plate making, carpentry, nursery development, beekeeping, and millet processing were highlighted as viable livelihood options capable of reducing migration and empowering youth and women. Community nurseries were welcomed as a means to restore native species and revive traditional ecological knowledge.
In health, traditional practitioners called for recognition, training support, and establishment of medicinal plant gardens. Nutrition education—especially for adolescents and mothers—was stressed amid rising malnutrition. Participants also urged stronger regulation of unqualified medical practitioners misusing antibiotics.
Government officials and experts conveyed concern and commitments. S. Bhargavi, IAS, Director of Tribal Welfare, emphasized that although FRA, PESA, and the Biodiversity Act provide strong legal frameworks, climate change considerations are still inadequate. She stressed restoring deforested areas, conserving biodiversity, and preparing Gram Panchayat–level climate action plans.
D. Ravindranath Reddy, IFS, DFO, Chintur, highlighted increasing cyclones, rising health problems, and the decline in traditional crop cultivation, while acknowledging tribal resilience.
Experts Vengaiah Pulavarthi and Dr. Rajendra Prasad discussed horticultural diversity and opportunities for value addition in crops like jackfruit, tamarind, palm, and lemon. Siddarth D’Souza of LAYA emphasized learning directly from tribal narratives.
The workshop, attended by 75 participants including 35 government officials and scientists, concluded with remarks by Sri Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, who assured that tourism would be used to enhance tribal livelihoods without enabling exploitation.
Ultimately, the narratives shared at the workshop reveal the depth and complexity of the climate crisis facing tribal communities—while also illuminating clear pathways to resilience rooted in traditional knowledge, community solidarity, ecological restoration, and empowered self-governance. For tribal societies, climate change is not merely about weather; it is a crisis of food, health, culture, governance, and identity. Addressing it requires not only adaptation, but transformation—reimagining development to centre tribal voices, secure rights, strengthen ecological stewardship, and honour indigenous heritage.
These stories are both a warning and a guide. If acted upon, they hold the potential to shape a climate-resilient future grounded in justice, sustainability, and the enduring wisdom of India’s first forest custodians.
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