CLIMATE RESILIENCE

INTRODUCTION

India is experiencing rapid urban expansion, with 1.21 billion people living in rural areas and 377
million in urban areas. In 2001-11, rural and urban population growth rates were 12.2% and 31.8%,
respectively. Urban cities now accommodate about one-third of India's population. Secondary cities
in India are vulnerable to climate change effects due to their rapid economic growth and high
population density. However, these cities are unprepared for rapid immigration and face high
disaster risks. Urban centres, industries, and villages have sprung up recklessly without effective land
use planning, making them vulnerable to climate change effects.

CLIMATE RESILIENCE

The ability of individuals, communities, organisations, and ecosystems to tolerate and adapt to the
detrimental effects of climate change while minimising disruption and sustaining essential services is
referred to as climate resilience. It consists of proactively preparing for, responding to, and
recovering from climate-related events and disturbances.

Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG)

Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) specialises in constructing, nurturing, and developing
a viable knowledge support system at the village level to successfully propagate resilient farming
practises and approaches to farmers. Since 1975, GEAG has improved the lives and livelihoods of
various vulnerable populations, including small-marginal and woman farmers. by focusing on
agricultural-based livelihoods, climate change resilience, disaster risk reduction, and health, water,
and sanitation. GEAG has established itself as a known resource organisation functioning in
numerous Indian states, particularly in northern India, all these years.

Climate Resilience initiatives undertaken by GEAG in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur City -an Overview

Gorakhpur is one of the fastest growing cities in the mid-Gangetic region, with a population of
671,048 people distributed unevenly throughout the city. Gorakhpur district is an agrarian society
because of its position in the Terai area with fertile lands. Small and marginal farmers in Gorakhpur
face challenges due to fragmented land holdings, limited resources, and limited access to
government schemes. This vulnerability leads to food insecurity and frustration, often causing them
to migrate to urban centres. The urban population struggles with poor infrastructure and basic
services, and climatic changes are expected to exacerbate these issues, causing increased
temperatures and humidity in urban areas. The Mehawa ward in the city best represents the
problems faced by the city and also comprises of low- income households that have limited access to
municipal services.

Steps taken by GEAG to Build Climate Resilience-

 Climate Resilient Agriculture- GEAG taught farmers about resilient farming systems for
waterlogged conditions, as well as training in crop time and space management, crop
diversification, multi-tier farming systems, and the incorporation of animal husbandry to
mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce agricultural input costs. Farmers that are
interested and motivated have embraced these resilient agricultural methods, allowing them
to raise crops even in waterlogged fields. Farmers were taught how to make elevated seed
beds in poly tunnels, grow vegetable nurseries during the monsoon season, and plant
 climber vegetable kinds with dhaicha for green manure and nitrogen content. Even in harsh
conditions, these climate-resilient farming practises have resulted in high yields.
 Water and Sanitation-
a) Solid Waste Management- Community members in Mahewa have established three
SWM units, collecting and composting kitchen waste. The waste is separated into
biodegradable and non-degradable, with non-degradable waste sold. Drums are used to
convert biodegradable waste into compost, which is then siphoned off as liquid manure.
The water and sanitation thematic committee oversees the process, with a monthly fee
of Rs10 for every household. The committee also runs awareness campaigns on
sanitation and plastic use.
b) Water quality monitoring and public awareness- GEAG established a water testing
laboratory to raise awareness about unsafe drinking water in their wards. Samples from
various sources were tested during pre- and post-monsoon seasons. Results were shared
with community groups and committees, leading to over 300 households adopting
preventive measures like filter/reverse osmosis systems. GEAG provided financial
assistance in the development of a platform to assure clean drinking water during floods.
The community contributed in kind by giving manpower and supervision, and it
promised to bear the costs of operation and maintenance as needed. Currently, roughly
900 homes now have access to clean and safe drinking water .
 Decentralized Drainage System- For the past decade, Mahewa has struggled with severe
waterlogging. The community's existing drainage system was in poor condition and did not
fulfil the design requirements for flood protection. The waterlogging impacted the
community's children's school attendance and education. A drainage thematic
committee performed a survey and convened a meeting to discover solutions. Five critical
locations were selected for modifying existing drains to decrease waterlogging following
rainfall. The committee held meetings with local residents who donated money or labour for
construction or maintenance. With the help of the community, 751 metres of drains were
rebuilt, ensuring that the entire region stayed dry even during heavy rains.
 Community Health- Poor sanitation, uncontrolled solid waste, a lack of health awareness,
mass defecation, mosquito breeding, and contaminated groundwater are the primary causes
of water- and vector-borne illness epidemics in Mahewa. A community health committee
was founded to address health-related issues, such as hand washing, cleanliness, preventive
care, and immunisation programmes. Diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and malaria
thrived in flooded areas. Incidences of these diseases have decreased dramatically when the
waterlogging problem was resolved. Children, pregnant and nursing mothers, were reached
by giving dooor to door information and routine vaccines. Approximately 210 women and
adolescent girls received training to share information on health and hygiene to the entire
community.
 Livelihood Opportunities For Women in Slum- An assessment was carried out with the goal
of improving livelihood options for women in two slums. Adolescent girls were admitted to a
charity school for free sewing instruction, and 40 homes were connected with micro-finance
institutions to encourage entrepreneurship. Grameen Banks disseminated information about
their programmes and setup common interest groups to manage cash assistance. These
communal institutions have grown in capacity and are now self-sufficient. The procedure has
strengthened committee members' and residents' trust, allowing them to tackle difficulties
in a systematic manner. The 74th Constitutional Amendment intends for devolution and
decentralisation to municipal corporations, although implementation has been delayed due
 to capacity constraints. Mahewa's decentralised and grassroots planning structure ensures
that basic services are delivered.

Conclusion

GEAG's pilot project in Gorakhpur's Mahewa ward has successfully integrated micro-planning
methods to address a variety of sectors, including agriculture, livelihoods, drainage, solid waste
management, and community health and housing. This method, driven by participatory processes
and active community participation, is helping strengthen resilience against climate change.

Bibliography

Government of India (GOI), 2011a. Census 2011 http://censusindia.gov.in/

Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group https://www.geagindia.org/

Climate Resilience https://www.anl.gov/science-101/climate-resilience

Nivedita Mani and Shiraz Wajih. “A Participatory Approach to Micro-Resilience Planning by