A grassroots response to climate change in Bundelkhand

By Bharat Dogra 

There are some regions that have repeatedly made headlines because of the serious challenges they face. Bundelkhand, spread across 14 districts in the central Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, is one such region. In recent decades, it has frequently been in the news because of water scarcity, prolonged droughts, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, the crisis faced by farmers, and large-scale migration in search of livelihoods.

However, it would not be fair to view Bundelkhand only through the lens of distress. On the positive side, several highly encouraging development initiatives have emerged, bringing hope to hundreds of villages and helping communities overcome many difficulties. BIWAL (Bundelkhand Initiative for Water, Agriculture and Livelihoods) is one such initiative, reaching more than 75,000 farmers across the region.

Bundelkhand is widely known for the historic city of Jhansi, the pilgrimage centre of Chitrakoot, and the famous tourist destination of Khajuraho. However, with the increasing success of several development initiatives, many people are now visiting the region to observe these achievements and assess their relevance for their own areas.

A remarkable aspect of BIWAL has been the way in which the leading voluntary organization SRIJAN (Self-Reliant Initiatives for Joint Action) has forged close partnerships with other prominent regional organizations such as ABSSS, Arunodaya, YKVM, Hartika, and CARD. This collaboration has enabled effective implementation across a large number of villages where different NGOs possess organizational strengths and deeper community outreach. Instead of rivalry, BIWAL has promoted a model based on cooperation, utilizing the strengths of various organizations to achieve better results at the grassroots level.

The BIWAL effort has been described by its initiators as “an informal joint endeavour of civil society organizations concerned and involved with the socio-economic development of rural areas of Bundelkhand.” The initiative was undertaken with the expectation that it would help address issues relating to climate change while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By focusing on the repair and rejuvenation of traditional water bodies—historic assets for harvesting monsoon rain—it seeks to integrate ecological restoration with improvements in agriculture and livelihoods. Local communities have been actively involved throughout the process. The initiative has received support from the Department of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, along with funding through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes of public sector undertakings, private corporations, foundations, and research institutions serving as knowledge partners.

One of the most important questions in the development process is how to ensure sustainable and satisfactory livelihoods for small farmers. Despite migration trends, small-scale farming remains the most important source of livelihood in Bundelkhand. However, it has come under increasing stress because of rising cultivation costs and declining soil fertility.

BIWAL has offered a model that increases hope for farmers owning just one to four acres of land by reducing production costs and increasing net income, while simultaneously improving nutrition and health. More importantly, this is being achieved by strengthening environmental conditions, including the basic resource base of soil and water, and by enhancing resilience to climate change.

At another level, the BIWAL model offers an inspiring example of combining the best of modern science with the best of traditional wisdom. It promotes participatory approaches that allow people to contribute their knowledge of local conditions and the accumulated wisdom of farming communities. Traditional vegetable cultivators, for example, can continue using their inherited skills while benefiting from innovations recommended under the BIWAL framework. This process has progressed well because the natural farming model promoted by BIWAL provides significant scope for incorporating traditional knowledge.

Enhancing sustainable livelihoods, particularly for weaker sections, while simultaneously protecting the environment, is among the most important development challenges of our time. It is at this point that the objectives of social justice and environmental protection converge. While this challenge is relevant in both urban and rural settings, it is especially significant in rural areas because of its direct relationship with food security and the broader opportunities for ecological restoration.

This has always been important, but it has become even more critical in the context of climate change mitigation and adaptation, which are increasingly central to human survival. The importance of these concerns will only grow in the years ahead.

Therefore, while all interventions that improve welfare are valuable, special significance must be attached to initiatives that simultaneously strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods, protect biodiversity and ecosystems, and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The urgency of this task is particularly evident in regions that have already experienced high levels of rural distress and environmental degradation and are therefore considered especially vulnerable to climate change. It is no exaggeration to say that such interventions, when implemented on a sufficiently large scale or when capable of inspiring similar efforts elsewhere, can make the crucial difference between increasing helplessness and growing resilience in an era of climate uncertainty. Their significance is even greater when they contribute not only to adaptation but also to the mitigation of climate change.

It is within this broader context that BIWAL should be assessed in terms of its achievements, lessons, limitations, and future plans. As its name suggests, the initiative focuses primarily on water, agriculture, and rural livelihoods in the Bundelkhand region. While its broader aim is comprehensive socio-economic transformation, it prioritizes interventions that promise substantial benefits at relatively low cost and are likely to receive strong community support.

Although interventions vary according to local needs, the overall emphasis has been on better utilization of local resources and assets; low-cost water conservation measures, including the restoration and improvement of existing water sources; promotion of natural farming; diversification through increased cultivation of vegetables and fruits alongside staple crops; ensuring year-round income through livelihood diversification; reducing risks; and enhancing green cover through the dense plantation of diverse indigenous tree species.

All these efforts are carried forward with the active participation of villagers through their development committees. Special attention is paid to ensuring that poorer and weaker sections, as well as women, benefit from the process.

The response has been highly encouraging, and heartening results have often been achieved within a relatively short period. A promising model that integrates sustainable livelihoods with climate resilience is clearly emerging.

At the same time, BIWAL must find more effective ways of involving entirely landless households, who often constitute the poorest section of village communities. In addition, greater attention should be given to social reform efforts, including achieving a sustained reduction in the consumption of liquor and other intoxicants.

The importance of initiatives such as BIWAL extends far beyond Bundelkhand. As climate change intensifies and rural communities across the world face mounting ecological and economic pressures, models that combine livelihood security, environmental restoration, and community participation will become increasingly relevant. BIWAL offers valuable lessons not only for vulnerable regions in India but also for development practitioners elsewhere seeking pathways towards sustainability and resilience.

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The writer is Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food. His website is bharatdogra.in, and his YouTube channel is Bharat Dogra Save Earth Campaign