Environmental Instability and the Changing Rural Lifestyle

Words Vikas Parasram Meshram

NEW DELHI (India CSR): Climate change has become the greatest global challenge of the 21st century. Its effects are being felt worldwide, but its impact is particularly severe in developing countries like India. India’s rural economy is primarily dependent on agriculture, animal husbandry, and natural resources, making it highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, cyclones, droughts, and floods not only affect farmers’ livelihoods but also have adverse effects on food security and water resources.

Policy Measures for Sustainability

To address these challenges, the Government of India has implemented several policy measures to ensure environmental sustainability and protect rural communities from the impacts of climate change. However, climate change has a direct impact on agricultural production, water resources, and the rural economy. Irregular monsoons and changing weather patterns have put farmers in a state of uncertainty, affecting their income. Issues such as water scarcity and frequent flooding are also increasing, posing a threat to food security.

Government Schemes and Implementation Challenges

Various government schemes, such as the National Adaptation Fund, Mission LiFE, the National Solar Mission, and water conservation projects under MGNREGA, are proving useful in protecting rural India from the impacts of climate change. However, the implementation of these schemes faces several challenges, including a lack of awareness, limited resources, and the need for effective policy execution at the village level. It is crucial to evaluate how effective these schemes are in addressing climate change and how rural communities can maximize their benefits.

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Broader Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change is one of the most serious challenges of our time. It not only creates environmental imbalances but also affects society, the economy, and lifestyles. Issues such as rising temperatures, unpredictable weather changes, rising sea levels, and declining agricultural productivity are impacting not just India but the entire world. The effects of climate change are more severe in rural India, where the majority of the population depends on agriculture and natural resources. Problems such as uncertain monsoons, droughts, floods, and deteriorating soil quality have become major challenges for farmers and rural communities.

Water Management Initiatives

To combat these issues, the Indian government has launched several schemes and programs to promote environmental protection and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana aims to ensure efficient use of water and expand irrigation facilities. This scheme helps reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture and promotes water management in rural areas. Under this initiative, technologies like “Har Khet Ko Pani” and drip irrigation are being encouraged to save water and provide relief to farmers in drought-prone areas.

Financial Support for Adaptation

The National Climate Change Adaptation Fund is a financial initiative specifically designed to reduce the impacts of climate change. It provides financial support for adaptation projects in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and biodiversity. Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it directly affects human life. In particular, it has a severe impact on the mental health of adolescents. Recent research has revealed that adolescents living in areas severely affected by climate change experience significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and despair.

Climate Change in Southern Madagascar

Southern Madagascar is one of the regions most affected by climate change. Frequent droughts and sandstorms have forced many families into starvation. According to a study conducted in March 2024, 83 adolescents from six rural areas were surveyed, and 48 of them shared their struggles. In their households, food supplies had run out 90% of the time over the past year, and 69% of the children had to go entire days without food. Some even witnessed people in their communities dying from starvation. One child stated, “Many elderly people have died from starvation,” while another explained, “There is no water, and the heat from the sun becomes unbearable.”

Mental Health Impacts on Adolescents

Research indicates that climate change affects adolescents’ mental health in three major ways. The first significant impact is the loss of household resources. The scarcity of food and water forces children to live in constant fear and stress. The second consequence is increasing uncertainty about the future. Recurrent natural disasters have put their education and future at risk. Many are forced to migrate at a young age, and some have to drop out of school. The third impact is the breakdown of traditional coping mechanisms. Previously, families and communities would come together to face such crises, but now, the situation has become so dire that traditional solutions are no longer sufficient.

Beyond Food Shortages

The consequences of climate change extend beyond food shortages to education and community stability. Some adolescents are forced to leave their villages due to climate change, while those who stay face hunger, disruptions in education, and mental stress. Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable, as their insecurity increases while the assistance they receive decreases.

Addressing Mental Health in Policy

This research highlights that climate change is not just an environmental problem but has direct consequences on mental health. Therefore, there is an urgent need to consider mental health in climate adaptation policies. Researchers hope that these findings will lead to improvements in mental health services and policies on a global scale, particularly for adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries. Addressing these serious mental health impacts of climate change in a timely manner is essential.

Local Adaptation Efforts

To help rural communities adapt to climate change, measures such as changes in agricultural practices, the construction of water storage structures, and local-level climate adaptation efforts are being promoted under these schemes.

MGNREGA and Environmental Conservation

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change in rural areas. Under this scheme, initiatives such as water conservation, afforestation, soil conservation, and barren land improvement are promoted. This not only generates rural employment but also enriches natural resources, helping to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Promoting Renewable Energy

The National Solar Mission is a significant initiative to promote renewable energy in rural areas. Under this scheme, farmers are provided with solar pump facilities, reducing their dependence on traditional diesel and electricity. Additionally, solar-powered lighting systems in rural homes are encouraged to address electricity shortages.

Community-Driven Sustainability

Programs such as Mission LiFE and the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign encourage rural communities to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles. These initiatives promote collective efforts against climate change, encouraging activities such as sustainable agriculture, energy conservation, and water preservation in rural India.

Afforestation Efforts

The Indian government has launched programs like the National Afforestation Programme and the Green India Mission to promote afforestation in rural areas.

A Multifaceted Approach

These efforts demonstrate that combating climate change requires a multifaceted approach, integrating environmental conservation with socio-economic development. While government policies and initiatives play a crucial role, community participation and awareness are equally essential to ensure their success.

About the Author

Vikas Parasram Meshram is a social worker and activities working towards the rights of tribal and marginalized communities.

(India CSR)