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The issue of climate change has become a pressing matter of worldwide significance, with profound implications for societies that are already grappling with various difficulties. Indigenous communities residing in rural areas, who are heavily dependent on the surrounding ecological systems and possess limited ability to adapt, are especially susceptible to adverse impacts. The region of Kotagarh in the state of Odisha, which is inhabited by the Kutia Kondh community, is confronted with an increased susceptibility to the impacts of climate change. It is imperative to comprehend the particular climate-related pressures that impact Indigenous communities and to investigate viable remedies in order to tackle their socioeconomic and ecological challenges. The phenomenon of climate change has significant impacts on various ecosystems, weather patterns, and crucial resources, thereby posing a threat to the sustenance of the tribal populace. The region of Kotagarh is currently facing a multitude of challenges, including escalating temperatures, unpredictable precipitation patterns, extended periods of aridity, and severe weather phenomena. These factors pose a significant risk to the availability of water resources, food security, agricultural productivity, and forest reserves. In order to strengthen community resilience, it is imperative to implement climate-proofing measures such as capacity for adaptation, sustainable farming, preservation of resources, disaster mitigation, and community empowerment. The implementation of climate-proofing measures is of utmost importance in addressing the negative impacts of climatic stressors on the livelihoods of the Indigenous communities in Kotagarh. This is essential in promoting sustainable development and safeguarding cultural heritage. The objective of this study is to better understand the climatic stressors that affect the tribal villages in Kotagarh and suggest remedial measures to improve their capacity for resilience and sustainable growth.
Keywords: Climate change, Tribal villagers, Kotagarh, Odisha, Indigenous communities, Socioeconomic issues, Environmental challenges, Climate stresses, Climate-proofing, Resilience.
