Rural Livelihood Perception on Climate Variability/Change- A Case Study for Kachchh Region, Gujarat

Abstract

Kachchh climate is diverse and changing. Kachchh is facing the challenges to sustain of rapid economic growth, urbanization and dealing with the global threat of climate change. This study was conducted in Kachchh district of Gujarat state. Climate change threats are from accumulated green house gases emission in the atmosphere, intensive industrial growth and high consumption lifestyle adopted from developed countries. Due to this changes pressure comes on natural resources and adversely affect the livelihood of rural people. For this study two different sites of Kachchh were selected i.e. dry land (Kanmer) and wetland (Jakhau, Tunda wandh and Mohadi wandh) villages. The field work is done between the January 2016 to January 2017. For this study, we have taken the perception from various livelihood holders i.e. Men, Women and Youth We have collected the detailed livelihood information from each livelihood holder from and taken the information of more than 100 peoples from both the village sites. This paper aims to improve our understanding of local people's perceptions of these changes, explore the ways they are affected by climate change and how well they are adapting to them. In order for policymakers to plan responses to climate change in India, it is essential to understand how people understand and fight for their livelihood and cope with these trends. The research showed that most respondents had a clear understanding of what was directly affecting their lives and livelihoods in terms of changing climate trends and the wider environment over the long term. Most respondents were also aware of the usually limited options available to them to adapt to the changes they experience. However, the respondents were less able to understand differences between climate variability and climate change or the causes of the trends they observed.