Comparative analysis of impacts of climate change and adaptive capacities in different rural settings of India
Student name: Mr Harpalsinh Chudasama
Guide: Dr Kamna Sachdeva
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA)
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr P. K. Singh
Abstract: Climate change is a global phenomenon and the inconsiderate manner in which human beings are
exploiting the nature will only aggravate the situation. India is an agrarian country with the major
population practicing agriculture and livestock rearing as their main source of livelihood. The
impacts of climate change have made the rural population vulnerable and thus it is the need of the
hour to understand the crisis faced by the rural population. The study involves understanding of
impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of rural communities by Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
and documenting the various coping mechanisms adopted by the rural communities in response to
the climate change. Changes are either brought about by people on individual levels or by
interventions of government or non-profit organizations. The study combines Fuzzy Cognitive
Mapping approach with Sustainable Livelihood Approach to better understand the impacts of
climate change on every livelihood assets.
This study has also made an attempt for comparative analysis of impacts of climate change and
respective adaptive capacities of the study areas. Balanced weighted average approach has been
used to obtain values of impacts of climate change on each livelihood assets, and values of
respective adaptive capacities. Furthermore, the study has presented a set of indicators for
prioritization of an area for adaptation strategy.
Keywords: climate change, sustainable rural livelihood, Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping, comparative
analysis, prioritization
