The pace of Climate Change is already causing distress around the world. The 2nd National Communication of India to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change recognises that majority of the rural population in India is vulnerable to climate change as they depend on natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, water, bio-diversity etc. for their livelihood. In India, rain fed agriculture covers 57% of the cultivated area and contributes to 44 % of agriculture production. Rainfed areas are continuously subjected to land degradation due to decline of soil fertility, development of acidity, salinization, alkalization, deterioration of soil structure, accelerated wind and water erosion, loss of organic matter and biodiversity etc. While participatory water development approaches have been successful in most watershed programmes in rainfed areas, soils in these areas remain neglected and mismanaged both as private property and as common property resource.
In light of above juncture, NABARD in collaboration with KfW has developed a project for Integration of Watershed Development strategies with Climate Change Adaptation for Rehabilitation of Degraded Soils. This project incorporates issues of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in watersheds threatened by degradation, by improving soil health through climate sensitive investments. The project has been approved for support from the German Government (BMZ) under its initiative “One World without Hunger (SEWOH) for controlling soil erosion and rehabilitation of degraded soils especially in areas with communities who are significantly vulnerable to negative impacts of climate changes.
SARDS has entered partnership with NABARD for implementing the KFW soil project under Climate proofing of completed watershed projects for a period of 4 years Covering 1000 acres in Cherlopalli watershed in Konkanimitla mandal in Prakasam district. The project developed a detailed project report after through Vulnerability and Needs assessment and active involvement of the local communities. The project has succeeded in Rehabilitation of 200 acres of degraded land into cultivable land with in a span of 6 months. Other project measures are in progress.
SARDS has gained commendable experience in understanding the negative impact of Climatic change on human being and nature and remedial steps to minimize the impact of climatic change. SARDS has got a wonderful opportunity to plan and implement Climatic Change Adaptation and Mitigation projects in Prakasam district. The project was able to create critical awareness on impact of climatic change and need of community actions towards Mitigating its impact on lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities in25 coastal villages and one urban municipality covering around 1.5 lakhpopulation.
LocalClimate change adaptive guides with a focus on lives and livelihoods of vulnerable families and communities,were prepared and placed in all project villages for reference to the community and other stakeholders. Children were actively participated and their Needs and Concerns in the changing context of Climate Change was well incorporated in the Adaptive Guides. Community and school safety mechanisms were established and made functional to monitor the functions, progress and impact of Climatic Change Managementat their communities and schools in the project area. The project has successfully Mainstreamed Climate Change Management Mechanism with the local gram panchayats for a sustainable follow up and impact. AGS, Adelphi and GIZ have provided technical and financial support for executing the project interventions for a period of 5 years in the operational area of SARDS
Natural Resource Management:
The prudent and optimal use of natural resources determine the wealth of the nation and the natural resources are the base for livelihoods of poor and marginalized sections in the society. SARDS as a community development facilitator has found Natural Resource Management is one of niche areas to work with most disadvantaged communities and to ensure sustainable community development. SARDS gained tremendous experience and expertise in implementing the NRM activities and emerged as technically competent and equipped with capabilities of managing the huge finances for NRM activities. SARDS has been engaged in sustainable Natural Resource Management interventions since 2000 implementing the following projects in its operational area of Prakasam, Nellore and Kadapa Districts in the state of Andhra Pradesh with the Partnership of both Government and foreign sources.
Mangroves conservation and protection, Shelterbelt promotion, conversion of aqua lands into productive agricultural landsand also encouraging coastal communities to adapt sustainable coastal eco agricultural and fishing practices covering 538 acres in 7 coastal villages in Prakasam District with the Partnership of Give India, CWW and CARE India under Tsunami Rehabilitation intervention
Implemented Andhra Pradesh community based tank management project with the collaboration of irrigation departmentsupported by World Bank during 2009-2015 covering 38 minor tanks in 18 Mandals of Prakasam District
Promoted organic farming and othersustainable agriculture practices in vegetable, flower, orchids and ground nut cultivation in 750 acres of land in 5 coastal Mandals in Prakasam district with the partnership of CARE India, Dalmia trust, youth for Action, Anitra trust and Oxfam Australia etc.
Implemented Integrated watershed development program under PMs Relief Package in Distress Districts of Nellore and Prakasam with a coverage of 9000 hectares of dry land during 2007-2015with the partnership of NABARD.
Implemented watershed projects under DPAP and APRLP Program covering 7500 hectares during 2000-2007 in H.M Padu and C.S puram Mandals in Prakasam District with support of Ministry of Rural Development, Govt of A.P.
Undertaken watershed related interventions covering 500 hectares during 2011-2013 in Mailavarm mandal in Kadapa district with the support of CARE-Dalmia trust.
Promoted 1576women self-groups, 657 livelihood groups, 249 Commodity groups, 375 farmers groups and 1158 common interest groups for organizing the landless, small and marginal farmers to help them to help themselves to gain sustainable source of income for enhancing the quality of life. SARDS facilitated the CBOs to mobilize around 5 cores from their own, bank and project sources to invest on their exiting and alternative livelihoods.
Implementing Tribal development project in 17 tribal villages of Yerragondapalem and Pullelachervu Mandals in Prakasam district since 2010 with the support of NABARD. The overall objective of the project is to promote sustainable participatory livelihood programme (“Wadi” model) for the economic upliftment through sustainable agriculture, social empowerment, improvement in quality of life including health and women development, in tribal predominant areas. We have successfully completed core activities and witnessing the success of the project.
Promoting 2 Pulse Producers organizations in Prakasam and Nellore districts to develop sustainable organisation structure, formulation of Business plan, facilitate registration of FPO, provide training and capacity building support, build linkages with banks, linedepartments, other key stakeholders etc with the support of NABARD.
SARDS interventions of Natural Resource Management has helped to reduce the structural vulnerability of livelihood systems by focusing on: improving production to stabilize yields, creating alternative income generating activities, reinforcing coping strategies that are economically and environmentally sustainable, improving common property management through community participation, improving local access to income, food availability and lowering food prices, maintaining population/ resource balance to ensure that any income and production gains are not lost to disease and unchecked population growth, protecting/ building community capacity, keeping marketing channels open through funneling assistance through markets, protecting human health especially children and youngsters, women and other vulnerable groups, preventing stress mitigation including children Migration and School dropout rate , employment generation through food for work or cash for work programmes, preventing environmental degradation and protecting access to natural resources.