NGO shows how climate resilience can protect rural livelihoods in rural Rajasthan

By Bharat Dogra 

With the growing importance of climate resilience, it is becoming increasingly necessary to integrate the promotion and protection of rural livelihoods with this objective. This has emerged as a key concern of rural development initiatives. There is no question here of sacrificing development opportunities for small farmers or other livelihood groups. Rather, the challenge lies in more thoughtful planning to integrate several important objectives simultaneously.

When discussing the integration of livelihood protection and climate resilience, it is useful and instructive to look at the work of rural development organizations that have achieved this integration effectively, in tune with the emerging needs of humanity and, indeed, of all forms of life.

Seva Mandir is a leading voluntary organization in southern Rajasthan that has demonstrated a high degree of integration in this context. Interestingly, this integration was not always part of an explicit strategy, as Seva Mandir began its work as early as 1968, when the importance of climate resilience was not widely recognized. However, because the protection and regeneration of green cover with community participation were emphasized from the outset, Seva Mandir’s achievements in integration go back a long way.

One of Seva Mandir’s major achievements has been in the regeneration of pastures and village common lands. This is particularly impressive in areas where watershed development projects have also been undertaken. A wide range of water conservation works has been implemented, including the digging of various kinds of trenches, the construction of gabion structures and anicuts, check dams and field bunds, and, above all, large-scale tree planting. According to Seva Mandir’s estimates, over 13 million trees have been planted so far under its various initiatives.

These efforts have contributed significantly to climate mitigation, as trees absorb carbon and improved soils also enhance carbon sequestration. At the same time, water conservation and pasture regeneration have helped villagers adapt to climate change by increasing their capacity to withstand droughts, rising heat, and other adverse and erratic weather patterns. Water conservation measures not only improve resilience to drought but also help reduce or prevent flooding during periods of excess rainfall. This has become particularly relevant in recent years, as Rajasthan has begun to experience sudden episodes of flooding and unusually heavy rains linked to climate change.

Seva Mandir’s work on pastures and watershed development has also prepared it well to play a leading role in securing recognition of community forests under the Forest Rights Act. With recognition granted to nearly 38,000 hectares of community forests in areas where Seva Mandir has strong community institutions, this offers significant scope for exemplary future work in the regeneration of degraded forest lands.

More recent initiatives in natural farming undertaken by Seva Mandir can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels in several villages, while also enabling farmers to lower their input costs.

Seva Mandir’s multi-dimensional work on water and sanitation has further strengthened the climate adaptation capacity of rural communities. Its initiatives have helped demonstrate improved models for the development of peri-urban areas that reduce heat stress, conserve water, and improve sanitation.

The organization has consistently worked with small farmers to enhance incomes in sustainable ways by strengthening the water and green resource base, while simultaneously increasing savings through the mobilization of self-help groups, savings groups, and small enterprise groups, particularly among women. These efforts increase the ability of rural communities to cope with adverse weather by drawing on savings rather than falling into cycles of high-interest debt. Greater crop diversity also improves resilience by ensuring that at least some crops survive under adverse weather conditions.

The adaptive capacity of animals and birds has likewise improved through extensive water conservation, tree planting, and green cover enhancement.

Climate resilience must also be understood in terms of stronger communities and improved, non-discriminatory social relationships. Such communities are more likely to respond with unity and cooperation to protect shared interests during adverse weather events. Seva Mandir’s sustained efforts to reduce gender discrimination and enhance women’s social participation have significantly strengthened both women and communities as a whole in facing difficult situations.

The growing mobilization of people for development work, including voluntary labour or shramdan, has increased communities’ ability to undertake collective action, such as protecting water sources in times of stress. This has been further reinforced by the creation of over 1,000 community institutions. These institutions continue beyond the duration of project-based interventions and substantially enhance the long-term capacity of communities to cope with adversity, thereby contributing meaningfully to climate adaptation.

Building on these existing strengths, Seva Mandir is well positioned to work towards villages where dependence on fossil fuels is minimized. Efforts to revive the use of bullocks, for which government schemes are now available, can be integrated into this approach. Similarly, increased government support for natural farming can be effectively leveraged.

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save the Earth Now. His recent books include When the Two Streams Met, A Day in 2071, Man over Machine, and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food