Impact of climate change on the forest-dependent tribal communities: a case study of Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts in Orissa
Student name: Ms Kopal Garg and Ms Medhavi Sharma
Guide: Dr Mala Narang Reddy
Year of completion: 2010
Host Organisation: Skillshare International, India
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Kim Maria Misao
Abstract: Ever since the issue of global warming and climate change has gained attention, several studies have
been done to assess its impact on human populations, its associated mitigation and find ways to cope
and adapt to changing conditions. The present study tries to see the impacts of climate change on the
forest-dependent tribal communities in the two districts Kalahandi and Kandhamal of Orissa. It also
aims to find out the coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies adopted by the tribal communities
in times of stress. It was found that people have noticed some changes in the local climate over the
last two decades. Consequently their agriculture, livelihood and dependence on NTFPs have been
impacted. However, one cannot conclusively establish that these changes are the direct result of
climate change. A large number of other factors like deforestation, developmental activities,
government policies, population increase etc. play a key role in social and economic changse. The
study reveals that the two districts are extremely vulnerable to climate change as they have very less
adaptive capacities in terms of resources and technology. It has been found that these forestdependent
communities are adapting to climate change by seasonally migrating, changing the sowing
time occasionally and diversifying their economic activities. People’s adaptive strategies are based
on local knowledge and are event specific. These strategies can be useful to combat the effects of
changing climate in the long run.
Key words: Orissa, forest-dependent communities, climate change, vulnerability,
adaptation
