Integrating Climate Change in Watershed Projects

Fostering a better future…
WWOORRKKSSHHOOPP OONN CCLLIIMMAATTEE CCHHAANNGGEE FFOORR CCIIVVIILL SSOOCCIIEETTYY OORRGGAANNIISSAATTIIOONNSS
IINN AANNDDHHRRAA PPRRAADDEESSHH
October 25-26, 2010
St. Ann’s Generalate, Tarnaka
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Workshop Proceedings
Organised by:
Poverty Learning Foundation
Hyderabad
Supported by:
Commonwealth Foundation, UK

Workshop on Climate Change for CSOs in Andhra Pradesh 2
Poverty Learning Foundation October 2010
Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................... 3
2. Proceedings........................................................................................... 3
2.1 Introductory session............................................................................... 3
2.2 Integration of Climate Change Concerns in Watershed Projects......... 5
2.3 The Science of Climate Change............................................................ 8
2.4 National Action Plan on Climate Change and the Role of CSOs........ 9
2.5 Climate Change, Poverty, and Livelihoods........................................... 12
2.6 Climate Change and Natural Resource Management............................ 14
2.7 Capacity-building Interventions for Integrating Climate Change
Concerns in Programmes and Policies..................................................
16
2.8 Vulnerabilities and Adaptations to Climate Change: GEO Initiatives.. 18
2.9 Group Work Presentations..................................................................... 20
2.10 Integration of Climate Change Concerns in CSO Projects.................... 21
3. Participants’ Feedback....................................................................... 25
4. Conclusion............................................................................................ 25
Annex 1: List of Participants and Resource People............................... 27
Annex 2: Workshop Agenda................................................................. 29
Annex 3: Participants’ Feedback........................................................... 30
*Cover photograph: Some of the workshop participants with the organising team.

WORKSHOP ON CLIMATE CHANGE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY
ORGANISATIONS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
1. INTRODUCTION
With a view to increase awareness on climate change concerns and integrate adaptive
strategies into existing programmes, Poverty Learning Foundation organised a workshop
on climate change on October 25-26, 2010. The workshop was attended by the
functionaries of civil society organizations (CSOs); particularly those involved in the
implementation of watershed development projects of the National Agricultural and
Rural Development Bank (refer to Annex 1 for the list of participants and to Annex 2 for
the agenda of the workshop).
2. PROCEEDINGS
2.1 Introductory Session
The workshop began with the welcoming of participants by Mr. N.L. Narasimha Reddy
(CEO, PLF). This was followed by self-introduction of participants. Ms. Nefa (Team
Leader - Watershed Development Fund Programme, PLF) facilitated a session on the
participants’ expectations, where they were asked to write their expectations from the
workshop on cards. The expectations as outlined by the participants were then grouped
into the following categories and broadly shared with the group (the number in
parentheses after each expectation refers to the number of people who expressed that
expectation):
Category Expectations
Science of
climate change
To comprehensively understand nuances of and reasons for climate change. (7)
To gain clarity on impact of temperature increase and intensification of
hydrological cycle on agriculture, natural resources and livelihoods. (3)
To understand the positive impacts of climate change on human society, if any. (1)
To understand the relation between climate change and natural resource
management (NRM). (3)
Mitigation
measures
To learn strategies for combating/ mitigating climate change. (1)
To learn more about possible ways to increase carbon capture (1)
Adaptation
measures
To understand the changes required in NRM and agriculture development projects
in view of climate change. (1)
To learn how to involve people in villages where watershed activities are not
implemented on climate change issues (1)
To understand the importance of plantation (biomass on bunds) and soil fertility
management in climate change. (5)
To explore options for including silt application (from water bodies and
conservation structures built under watershed) in poor soils under different NRM
programmes. (1)
To discuss the relevance of practices like organic farming/NPM, FYM, drought
resistant crops, crop rotation, less water-intensive crops, livestock management,
water harvesting (methods), reduction of pesticide use, etc., in the context of
climate change (9).

Capacity-
building
To understand the needs of human resources in addressing climate change
concerns. (1)
To have mechanisms for building awareness and sharing information from time to
time on climate change with farmers. (3)
(continued)
To be able to prepare rural people to deal with climate change and to be able to
involve and mobilise people’s participation on these issues (4)
To be able to prepare and involve youth, and school and college students on
climate change issues (2)
Rural Energy Rural energy management (2)
To better understand the relevance of biogas, bio-diesel plantation (e.g., pongamia
and jatropha), etc. (2)
Information and
knowledge
To learn about the importance of climate variability information in watershed
villages (3)
Participants writing down their expectations from the workshop
Ms. Shailey Tucker (Team Leader - Poverty and Migration, PLF) while sharing the
workshop objectives, agenda and expected outcomes, explained to the participants that
the sessions planned would largely take care of the expectations of their expectations.
She further explained that the workshop aimed first to introduce the participants to the
basic science of climate change, with a view to better understand various aspects related
to mitigation and adaptation. Subsequent sessions would then focus on the emerging rols
of CSOs and the need of developing capacity-building interventions, both for CSO
functionaries and for the communities they work with. Specifically, the scope of CSO
involvement in the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) would be assessed
and case studies of past experiences of adaptation to climate change would be discussed.

2.2 Integration of Climate Change Concerns in Watershed Projects
Sri G. Chandrashekar Reddy, IFS (CEO1
, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental
Advisory Services, Dr. MCR HRD Institute of AP, Hyderabad) in his keynote address
emphasised the need for integrating climate change concerns in NRM projects, in
particular in watershed development programmes, given the relation between climate
change and NRM. During the course of address, Mr. Reddy stressed the following points:
• All NRM projects already lay an emphasis on ecological restoration; however,
these projects now need to examine the same issues with another lens, namely that
of climate change and the diverse risks the phenomenon poses.
• Although rural communities themselves have played a limited role in bringing
about climate change, it is imperative that they act on it accordingly since climate
change will negatively impact everyone.
• Climate change in the past (i.e., in the pre-industrial era) used to occur due to
natural factors over a long period of time and impacts were not observed within
people’s lifetimes. We have heard about and witnessed the loss of lives in 19th
and
20th
centuries due floods and droughts; however, the intensity of such climatic
events is going to increase because of human-induced factors (e.g., the
accumulation of green house gases, etc.).
Mr. G. Chnadrasekhar Reddy delivering the keynote address to inaugurate the workshop
• There are two key aspects of climate change directly related to watersheds,
namely: (i) the intensification of the hydrological cycle; and (ii) an increase in
average temperatures. These two aspects have immense implications on cropping
1
He is also the Joint Director General of Dr. MCR HRD Institute of AP.

patterns and on the availability and use of natural resources; therefore, we need to
prepare watershed communities to face any challenges that may come their way in
the future. Watershed development projects then become important not only in
the context of resource conservation and rural livelihoods, but also in the context
of climate change adaptation.
• Mr. Reddy then asked participants to trace out the differences between villages
with and without watershed interventions. The differences as mapped by the
participants are as follows:
Parameter With interventions Without interventions
Community Well organised/also more aware – hence
more involved in decision-making
Less organised
Wastelands Area reduced as brought into productive
use
Remain the same
Groundwater
level
Improved Depleted
Water
management
Improved use and sharing of water No sharing of water
Backyard/ avenue
plantation
Area increased -
Cropping pattern Alternative cropping systems adopted -
Migration Reduced Continued out-
migration
Agricultural
technology
Improved access to tools, technology and
knowledge
Problems persist
Livestock Improved cattle health services
Improved fodder availability
Milk collection centre established
Problems exist with
health services
Livelihoods Diversified – so better-secured than in
the past
Unviable
It is evident from this discussion that watershed villages are in a better position to deal
with climate changes due to a number of reasons; well-organised communities (and
institutions), an improved status of resources, better management practices, improved
infrastructure facilities, an improved capacity of people to access services, and greater
ability to make informed decisions all play a significant role in equipping these
communities to be better prepared. While all of the above helps in adapting to climate
change to some extent, much more remains to be done in order to enhance the adaptive
capacities of watershed communities. Preparing and building adaptive capacities of
communities involves the provision of technology, information, knowledge, and skills, as
well as the strengthening of institutional arrangements and, above all, the sharing of
management practices. The following table lists out some of the ways in which integrated
watershed management can address climate change issues and prepare communities to
face future challenges.

Table 1: Integrated Watershed Management as a Tool for Adaptation to Climate Change
Parameter Action that can be taken
Integrating adaptive
strategies into existing
activities
• Increase agriculture productivity
• Green manure (carbon sequestration) – mitigation – ploughing –
carbon into soil
• Soil amendments
• Vegetative barriers
• Across slope cultivation
• Drought proofing –ownership of farmers
Water resources Water scarcity implies that achieving National Water Mission (NWM)
goal of 20% water-use efficiency is essential, especially given the
changing nature of the hydrological cycle (less number of rainy days and
more intense rainfall).
• Restoration of structures
• SRI (paddy cultivation releases methane due to decomposition due to
excess use of water) – technology for optimal use of water
• Farm pond/2 ha
• Bore well: integration of micro-irrigation
• Recharging dried-out wells
• Groundwater – installation of capacitors to increase motor efficiency
(↓electricity consumption)
• Restoration of water bodies
• Increase community ownership
Livestock • Efficient and enterprising use of fodder (avoid fodder wastage –
promote use of chaff cutter)
• Increase fodder plots
• Reduce scrub cattle and improve breeds (artificial insemination) –
Reduce pressure on nature
Rural energy (60%
green house gases)
• Promote wider use of gobar gas – reduce energy needs
• Use services of gopalamitra
• Agro-forestry
• Encourage use of more energy-efficient chulhas
• Supply CFL (energy-efficient) lamps
• Mini-electrical plants – using biomass
Plantation (CO2 is
locked into plants)
• Plant trees – Horticulture/Pomiculture
• Don’t burn biomass (avoid release of CO2)
• Foreshore plantation
• Bamboo plantation (4 acres in a village)
CPRs • Natural regeneration
• Seed dibbling
CDMs/carbon credits • Raising resources
• Income for local communities
Migration • Identify the most vulnerable regions and orient recruitment to those
hailing from such regions
• Target trainings to encourage development of scarce skills,
especially for non-farm livelihoods
• Ensure more effective implementation and monitoring of NREGS

• Ensure migrants and local peoples have the same rights
• Reduce transaction costs on remittances
• Reduce barriers to migration (including return migration)
• Develop regional labour migration agreements
Capacity-building • Communities – social adaptation to be increased
• Use of same language at various levels (a challenge due to low
literacy levels therefore, simultaneous focus on education is
important)
• Take up as IGP activities (also a way to increase community
ownership)
• Raising awareness and building capacity of rural communities on
drought, impact on crop/livelihoods:
Knowledge adaptation • Learning – Sharing– Application continuum
• Information/knowledge management (e.g., weather-related
information; location-specific information)
• “Open knowledge” – sharing of knowledge on open platforms such
as the Internet (avoiding creation/use of patents)
2.3 The Science of Climate Change
With a view to introduce participants to the basics of climate change, Mr. N.L.
Narasimha Reddy facilitated a session on the scientific and meteorological aspects of
climate change. The session also briefly dealt with the impacts of climate change, the
global response to climate change, and the associated politics.
Box 1: What is climate change and what is the global response?
What is climate change? Climate change is the result of changes in the energy received
from the sun; changes in the amounts or characteristics of greenhouse gases, particles and
clouds; or changes in the reflectivity of the Earth’s surface.
The Science of climate change
• The sun is the primary source of energy for the Earth’s climate. About 30% of
the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth is reflected back to space by clouds, gases
and small particles in the atmosphere, and by the Earth’s surface. The remainder
is absorbed by the atmosphere and the surface.
• To balance the absorption from the Sun, the Earth’s surface and atmosphere must
emit the same amount of energy into space; they do so as infrared radiation.
• The surface is kept warmer than it otherwise would be because, in addition to the
energy it receives from the Sun, it also receives infrared energy emitted by the
atmosphere (due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases, or GHGs). The
warming that results from this infrared energy is known as the greenhouse effect.
• The imbalance between the absorbed and emitted radiation that results from these
changes will be referred to here as “climate forcing.”
(continued)

• Positive climate forcing will tend to cause a warming, while negative forcing will
lead to a cooling. Climate changes act to restore the balance between the energy
absorbed from the sun and the infrared energy emitted into space.
• There is strong evidence that changes in greenhouse gas concentrations due to
human activity are the dominant cause of the global warming that has taken place
over the last half century. This warming trend is expected to continue as are
changes in precipitation over the long term in many regions, and further and more
rapid increases in sea level are likely which will have profound implications for
coastal communities and ecosystems. At present, it is not possible to determine
exactly how much the Earth will warm or exactly how.
Global response to climate change
1992, UNFCCC: Called for stabilisation of atmospheric concentrations of GHGs at a
level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system,
but did not set binding targets.
1997, Kyoto Protocol: Created emission reduction targets for developed countries and
also proposed measures such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for assisting
developed countries in meeting their targets while helping developing countries in their
development process
• Did not come into effect till 2005
• The biggest polluter – the US – has still not ratified the Protocol
• Between 1990 and 2006, the total CO2 emissions of all industrialized countries
declined by 1.3 percent. However, this was largely due to reductions in the former
Soviet Union countries; if these nations were excluded, the emission of
industrialized countries actually increased by 14.5 percent.
Mitigation
• Changes in lifestyles and behaviour
pattern
• Waste management
• Clean coal technologies
• Renewable energy development
• Energy efficient products
• Emission control in transport sector and
industries
• Carbon sequestration
• Natural resource management
Adaptation
• Reduce vulnerability
• Capacity to adapt depends on socio-
economic & environmental
circumstances and availability of
information & technology
• Many communities have developed
ways to adapt to weather- and climate-
related events
• Countries are starting to develop
National Adaptation Programme of
Action
2.4 National Action Plan on Climate Change and the Role of CSOs
Ms. Esther Subhashini, (Project Coordinator, NRM unit, MV Foundation, Hyderabad),
shared with the participants the NAPCC prepared by the Government of India in 2008
and its eight National Missions. Ms. Subhashini expressed how we need to change our
values and actions in order to respond better to climate change; for example, by
becoming more sensitive to forming a carbon-free economy, by becoming cost-effective

and more efficient, and by increasing transparency and accountability. Specifically, she
described MVF’s experience relating to these Missions, laying the foundations for an
action framework that could be followed by CSOs in order to meet the different tasks
outlined in these Missions. The following table lists out these actions for seven of the
National Missions (the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem is
excluded, as it is not directly related to work being done in Andhra Pradesh).
Table 2: National Action plan on Climate Change and Role of NGOs
Mission Focus MVF actions
National Solar
Mission
Promote the development and
use of solar energy for power
generation and other uses.
Make solar energy competitive
with fossil-based energy options.
• Solar energy-related activities:
o Solar lamps
o Solar dryers (activity for women’s
SHGs)
National Mission
for Enhanced
Energy
Efficiency
Energy consumption decreases in
large energy-consuming
industries
• Bio-diesel plantation with involvement
of poor women
National Mission
on Sustainable
Habitat
Promote energy efficiency in
urban planning.
Greater emphasis on urban waste
management and recycling, and
power production from waste.
• Reduce your carbon foot print :
o Reduction in use of synthetic cloths
(since production results in highest
amount of chemical effluents)
o Promotion of home-based food
instead of processed food (which adds
to pollution, consumes energy, etc.)
National Water
Mission
20% improvement in water-use
efficiency.
• Watershed activities (yet to think within
climate change context)
National Mission
for Sustaining the
Himalayan
Ecosystem
Conserve biodiversity and forest
cover.
Ecological values in the
Himalayan region
-
National Mission
for a “Green
India”
Afforestation of 6 million
hectares of degraded forest lands.
Expansion of forest cover from
23% to 33%
• Long-term thinking:
o Environmental activism in schools
o Plantation under watershed – Dry-
land Horticulture (DH) and Agro-
horticulture (AH)
o
National Mission
for Sustainable
Agriculture
Support climate adaptation in
agriculture.
• Development of climate-
resilient crops.
• Expansion of weather
insurance mechanisms.
• Agricultural practices.
• Livelihoods in response to pollution of
Moosi river:
o Identification of ground realities and
working on them is important
o Paddy (as the seed used to break) to
para-grass (livestock feed)
o Addressing equity issues: improving
livelihoods of the poor (lack of
options for landless, singles, etc.)
o Productive use of assigned land
o Programme for involving youth in
agriculture. (continued)

National Mission
on Strategic
Knowledge for
Climate Change
Better understanding of climate
science, impacts and challenges.
Climate Science Research Fund.
Improved climate modelling.
Increased international
collaboration.
Encourages private sector
initiatives to develop adaptation
and mitigation technologies
through venture capital funds.
• Livelihoods in response to pollution of
Moosi river
• Inculcating value systems in terms of
climate change
• Transformation in thinking
o Work to transform communities (crop
and livestock management)
o Reduce carbon emissions
o Conservation of resources
o Well-being and better life based on
equity
• Become “other-centric” – what can I do
for others (trainees agree to train others)
o Collective action for crisis
management (women’s groups)
o Food security (organic and natural)
o Fodder security
o Health, nutrition and wellness
Ms. Esther Subhashini sharing actions taken by MV Foundation on climate change adaptation
Ms. Subhashini stressed during her presentation how much more still needs to be done to
address all the varied concerns of climate change. Among other things, it is imperative to
become self-reliant in terms of finances and to raise local funds; not only would this
reduce dependence on external aid and funds, but it would also increase ownership of
adaptation programmes among the local communities. In addition, at present there is a
gap in the transfer of both knowledge and technology that needs to be addressed; for
example, institutions like ICRISAT can play a far-reaching role in sharing information at

the grassroots level about what cultivars can and should be grown in order to adapt
cropping patterns more efficiently to ever-increasing seasonal variability.
2.5 Climate Change, Poverty and Livelihoods
This session was facilitated by Dr. Pradip Kumar Nath (Associate Professor, Centre for
Agrarian Studies and Disaster Management, National Institute for Rural Development,
Hyderabad). The highlights of his presentation were as follows:
• Climate change makes the poor and disadvantaged groups more vulnerable, no
matter what their background: tribal, rural, or urban. About 70% of the world’s
poorest are women and they become more vulnerable due to the following
reasons:
o Restricted access to resources and information
o Limited power in decision-making
o Tradition gender-based roles and power dynamics
o Extreme events may trigger domestic violence
• We already observe an increase in the hardship of India’s poorest women, who
are generally responsible not only for meeting household food and water needs
but also working in the fields. As climate change adversely impacts the
availability of water and firewood as well as agricultural production, their
workload for meeting the basic needs of the family is also increasing
significantly.
• The impacts of climate change will be felt across the rural sector as agricultural
production is affected, leading to food insecurity and uncertainty for rural
livelihoods. In particular, there will be greater stress on rural livelihoods with
decreasing availability of crop land, continuing loss of crops, declining crop
production and declining bio-diversity. Thus, the poor are likely to be the worst-
affected; for instance, a reduction in non-timber forest produce (NTFP) will
adversely affect tribal communities.
• Similarly, intensification of the hydrological cycle will force change in land use
and cropping patterns. This will increase the demand for water conservation, crop
insurance, etc., and the worst-affected in this case would be small and marginal
farmers.
• Another issue that is of concern is the possible displacement of populations (and
livelihoods), especially due to the inundation of low-lying coastal areas given
rising sea-levels.

• Climate change will also have grave impacts on the health of populations and we
can already observe an escalating rate of disease. Again, the poor and
marginalised are the most adversely-affected, among whom there is an increased
incidence of bacterial infection, vector-borne diseases and severe under-nutrition.
• Adaptation to climate change should therefore include crop improvement and
research, drought-proofing and flood control, improved health services, risk
financing, disaster management, poverty alleviation, and diversification of
livelihoods.
Dr. P.K. Nath during his session on the dynamics between climate change and poverty
• Dr. Nath concluded the session by saying that we all should work towards a
“climate-smart world.” For this to happen, “we must act now, we must act
together and we must act differently.”
• The discussion generated following Dr. Nath’s presentation included clarification
on the role that developing countries, such as India, have played in bringing about
climate change vis-à-vis that played by developed nations, such as the United
States. It was seen that while the US is the leading emitter of carbon from the use
of fossil fuels, followed closely by China; India, whose levels of emission are
much lower in comparison, still ranks among the top emitters, however.
Furthermore, participants discussed whether it was truly possible to revert to a
more ethical approach of working to adapt to climate change.

Participant sharing his own perspective on climate change and poverty
2.6 Climate Change and Natural Resource Management
Ms. Nefa and Mr. Nagabramha Chary facilitated this session highlighting the links
between natural resource management and climate change impacts.
Vulnerability: As mentioned earlier, the impact of climate change on natural resources
will render certain types of livelihoods more uncertain, making sections of the population
more vulnerable than others. The level of vulnerability of a household or community can
be assessed based on the risks, stress and shocks it faces. Variability in rainfall, for
example, creates stress on crops because of low retention of soil moisture and higher
possibility of pest attack and low crop yields. Farmers who are not prepared to face these
risks are more likely to feel stress with the spread of disease, higher expenditures and
lower-quality products. In addition, in extreme cases they are likely to be exposed to
shocks such as crop failure.
Adaptation: The capacity of a household or community to adapt to climate change
depends on several factors such as its socio-economic status, environmental
circumstances, and the availability of information and technology, to name a few. Thus,
those households possessing the following capital would be able to cope better:
Type of Capital Advantage
Physical Access to infrastructure, market
Financial Credit, bank linkage
Human Skills, knowledge, information
Natural Better-quality endowments, access to related resources
Social Support of institution, network of which one is member

Ms. Nefa and Mr. Brahmam, PLF, during their session on climate change and NRM
Gaps in current watershed action plans: In the above context, current watershed action
plans need to integrate numerous aspects in order to meet gaps in knowledge,
information, technology, etc., and equip communities to be better prepared to meet the
challenges that climate change poses. The following table describes these gaps:
Table 3: Gaps observed in current watershed development action plans
Resource Problems Included Gaps
Soil erosion - wind
and rain
Farm
bunding
Vegetative barriers
Water retention
capacity of soil
Compost
units
Soil amendments to improve
quality
Application of farmyard manure
(FYM)/green manure/ploughing
across slope, etc.
Land
Technology,
information and
knowledge
- Information on alternative crops
Seed preservation
Border crop/plantation
Drilling of bore wells/
deepening of bore
wells
- Social regulation of bore wells
Water sharing
Water harvesting pits
Run-off /velocity - Institutions are neither adequately
equipped nor effectively involved
Repair and maintenance
Water management - Low water consumption crops
Water conservation technologies –
adoption of SRI paddy, drip and
sprinklers
Water
Post- project
management
- Empowerment of institutions and
community

2.7 Capacity-building Interventions for Integrating Climate Change Concerns in
Programmes and Policies
Dr. V.K. Reddy (Ex-Director, NRM unit, MANAGE) focused on the needs for capacity-
building, citing examples from project interventions made at the national-level in
collaboration with MSSRF. The process to be followed in assessing CB needs includes:
consultations with different stakeholders and the identification of emerging needs in the
context of climate change; of target groups; of gaps in thematic areas; and of the
strategies and approaches to be adopted.
Table 4: Capacity Development Process and Interventions
Identification
of needs
• Conscious effort to sensitize and build capacities of various stakeholders so that
they are able play their respective roles
• Proactive action to address ill-effects of Green Revolution as well as issues
related to climate change, such as:
o Decrease in agriculture productivity
o Increased stress on livestock
o Effects on bio-diversity
o Increase in vector-borne diseases
• Community level issues: much more needs to be done
o Defunct institutions and changes in the nature of local cooperation.
o Empowerment – capacity to manage with transparency, accountability,
equity, etc.
o Change in mind-set– lack of required focus on building awareness, on
developing and strengthening institutions
o Missing link: necessary knowledge and skills at local level
o Sensitisation of officials
Thematic
areas to be
focused on
• Alternative, and less water-intensive, crops
• Need for technologies – Participatory Technology Development (PTD) – to fit
into local area (beyond research station)
• Information too generic – must be location-specific
• Climate change concerns are not taken into account while designing programs
Capacity-
building
• More time and resources to be allocated for capacity-building, in particular
focusing on:
o Institution building is one step in CB (but not end in itself)
o Inadequate sources of information
o Adaptation – pilot, document (Indigenous Technical Knowledge, ITK),
sharing and scaling up (agriculture. Water and energy) – community
participation mode
o Modify practices and programmes according to the needs of climate change
issues
o Understand specific local possibilities and plan CB – vulnerability
assessment
Knowledge
management
• Village knowledge centre (Weather centres by training local people to manage)
• Documenting, sharing available experiences and successful practices
Strategies • Sensitisation
• Sharing of success stories and best practices
• Screening of films
• Exposure visits
• Upgrading and providing tools and techniques
• Encouraging community action

Dr. V.K. Reddy discussing capacity-building initiatives in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh
Mr. Reddy’s presentation was followed by a discussion on what actions could be taken
by the participants at the field-level and what would be the requirements in order to carry
them out. Even within existing NRM programmes, including watershed development
projects, resources are allocated for capacity-building; however, they are not fully-
utilised due to a lack of trained people and training materials. Since climate change is a
new topic, Dr. V.K. Reddy was asked whether the study suggested any ways to deal with
this particular issue. Dr. Reddy conceded that this is a challenge that must be faced, by
effectively using the materials that are available; there is a need for all the government
departments to include climate change in their training programmes. Participants also
stated how the government is not systematically targeting communities/villages at present
for on-going activities; several people who should be included as beneficiaries of
schemes are currently missing out. Therefore, concern was raised as to whether or not
adaptive strategies to climate change would be properly targeted. It was also expressed
how education or capacity-building of communities on its own is not sufficient to bring
about change unless they are also complemented by policies at a larger level at the same
time. For instance, the example of creating awareness about the ill-effects of using
plastic, especially plastic bags was cited, which needs to be simultaneously addressed by
a policy angle also.

2.8 Vulnerabilities and Adaptation to Climate Change: GEO Initiatives
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy (CEO, GEO Initiatives), next presented some practical aspects
of dealing with climate change in the field, citing various examples of initiatives already
under way around the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Vulnerability and adaptation: The presentation started with Dr. Reddy asking participants
to translate the term “vulnerability” into Telugu. Vulnerability to climate change refers to
“the risk of adverse things happening” and is a factor of three things: exposure;
sensitivity; and adaptive capacity. According to Dr. Reddy, exposure to risk is heightened
when communities become more aware of or more sensitive to problem issues. In
contrast, however, greater sensitivity to or better awareness of an issue then permits them
to be better-equipped to handle challenges that may come their way. In the context of
Andhra Pradesh and watersheds, the concerns are related to saturated watershed areas and
there is a need to work on alternative and clean energy issues.
Adaptation, according to the Third Assessment Report of Working Group II of the
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is “adjustment in national or human
systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which
moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.” It is of note that the above
definition refers to adaptation to both “actual” (realised) and “expected” (future) changes
in climate. It is also logical to assume that the chances of survival are greater the more
developed is a household or community’s adaptive capacity.
There are two types of adaptation to climate change: autonomous or anticipatory. While
the former is reactive in nature, responding to changes already being observed or felt, the
latter is proactive, preparing households and communities to be able to face the potential
risks of any future changes.
In order to devise efficient adaptation strategies to build resilience and reduce
vulnerabilities, it is important to understand the linkages between the various
stakeholders involved in the decision-making process. There exist several different
stakeholders at a number of levels, from the farmers in the field to policy-makers at the
district-, state-, national- and international-levels. Any policies that facilitate action to be
taken on the ground must be informed by an in-depth vulnerability assessment taken at
the beginning of any project. The task at hand is huge and therefore, all institutions
involved must act on any one (or more) of the following areas: activities, facilitation,
research, and capacity-building; for example, the strength of grassroots NGOs lies in the
process of facilitation.
GEO initiatives: The organisation GEO engages with climate change issues in four
different ways: action on the ground, capacity-building, facilitation, and research.
According to Dr. Reddy, capacity-building, which he considers the most important,
involves creating awareness and sensitivity, training and exposure with the stakeholders,
especially at the community level, in order to enable people to decrease potential risks of

both present and future challenges. Recognising that field-level experience and
knowledge is essential to meet face these challenges, community-based action research is
thus something that the organisation concentrates upon significantly.
One of the initiatives that GEO has taken is to promote the use of biochar as an
alternative source of energy and fuel. Sources of biomass for biochar include the
following: crop residue, rice hust and other types of biomass, as well as prosopis
juliflora, a wild plant that is widely used as firewood and for making barriers. Since
prosopis juliflora is abundantly available in semi-arid environments, it can be easily
grown for use in charcoal production, enhancing soil microbes and application in the
fields at the same time. The biochar produced can itself be put to a variety of uses, such
as for creating biochar urinals (which tap nitrogen from the urine of animals using
biochar) and biochar compost (green mulching).
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy sharing examples of energy-efficient technologies
Climate variability in a semi-arid environment is largely observed in the form of a
decrease in rainfall and higher average temperatures. The increasing frequency of climate
shocks calls for a greater effort to become energy efficient. One of GEO’s initiatives
involves a series of biochar-producing stoves, the Magh series, which helps in not only
using energy more efficiently, but also reduces the ill-effects of smoke released from
other fuels on its users.
Dr. Reddy concluded by stating that it is important to make people aware of the choices
before them, to actually increase the choices available to them, and to share knowledge
freely, be it of participatory technical development (PTD) or of innovations for

alternative energy use. A participant also asked Dr. Reddy to clarify the concept of clean
development mechanisms (CDM), to which he responded by explaining that a CDM is a
funding mechanism, through which Annex I countries (developed countries listed in the
Kyoto Protocol) provide funds to non-Annex countries in order to achieve sustainable
development by implementing climate change mitigation measures. Furthermore,
participants expressed their wish to have a more practical exposure to climate change
mitigation and adaptation practices currently being tried out.
2.9 Group Work Presentations
At this point in the workshop, participants shared the group work they had been assigned
the night before. Divided into two groups, the participants had to outline national and
field-level activities that they felt could be taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Group 1 presented the national level activities, basically summarising for the group the
details of the eight National Missions of the National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC). Group 2 presented the village-level activities that are on-going as part of the
watershed projects as well as new initiatives that could be taken, such as the provision of
smokeless chulhas and solar lamps.
Group work on national-level action to mitigate and adapt to climate change

Group presentation on the National Missions of the NAPCC
Group presentation on village-level action for adaptation to climate change
2.10 Integration of Climate Change Concerns in CSO Projects
Mr. Sanjay Gupta, IFS, Irrigation and Command Area Development, Government of
Andhra Pradesh, led the final session of the workshop on how to integrate climate change
concerns in CSO projects. Starting off with a general discussion on climate variability
and climate change in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Gupta clarified that the average annual
rainfall in the state has, in fact, increased over the last thirty years, not decreased, as was
widely assumed by the participants; this level has increase by approximately 3% (30mm)

to the current average of 940mm per year. The main points of the Mr. Gupta’s session
were as follows:
• As part of the eight National Missions (of the NAPCC), each state has been linked
with a research station to better understand the impacts of climate change. In
particular, Andhra Pradesh has been linked with the Institute of Tropical
Meteorology, Pune, which classifies climate events according to the probability of
occurrence, and thus helps inform policies and action to be taken.
• The NAPCC itself, however, is quite vague and does not list specific goals, with clear
timelines, etc. Mr. Gupta stressed that the successful implementation of the NAPCC
requires that the goals outlined be specific, measurable and time-bound, with clear
quantifiable indicators and targets.
Mr. Sanjay Gupta interacting with participants and outlining the framework for future action of
CSOs on climate change adaptation
• These goals of the National Missions (seven of which directly concern AP) can be
divided into two broad categories: 1. Creating awareness, disseminating information
(of correct data) and enhancing capacities; and 2. Implementing real action.
o While the former does not require many funds, the latter requires a significant
amount.
o The implementation of real action is possible either in on-going activities or
in new ones. Among on-going activities, organisations create their own
programmes and can also have government linkages. Thus, it is possible to
integrate action addressing the Missions into existing programmes, with
existing funds.
o New programmes, however, require more funds; this is a job for RSOs like
PLF, who identify sources of new funds/raise funds through projects, etc.
o However, it is imperative to keep on-going activities sustainable, whether or
not we are able to raise new funds to implement new action.
• Based on the above, an agenda was proposed for PLF and the CSOs:
o 25-30 NGOs/CSOs have already been identified by PLF to work on the issues
of climate change and they are being oriented and trained on how to integrate
adaptive strategies into their programmes.

o Since each CSO works with 80-100 villages approximately, each should
identify 5 villages in which to implement these strategies.
o Selection criteria for villages must be decided upon, keeping in mind the
NAPCC; for this purpose, mapping of villages/watershed can be undertaken to
help decide the criteria.
o Moreover, there is much scope for establishing linkages with government
departments and bodies, such as NEDCAP (Non-conventional Energy
Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd.), which can be asked to
subsidise the provision of solar lamps to communities, and the Irrigation
Department, which can assist in providing resources for the promotion of SRI
paddy.
• The role for PLF (and other RSOs) is thus threefold:
o Form a coordinating group, whose main functions would be to:
1. Create knowledge and disseminate it (by undertaking research,
creating pamphlets/posters, etc.).
2. Coordinate the NGOs, create platforms for their interaction; and also
build partnerships with the government, with other RSOs and resource
people
3. Scout for funds through the identification of needs and the preparation
of proposals via a consultative process.4
• Several examples of innovative strategies and alternative energies, as well as existing
areas where efficiency can be increased were also stated:
o Gujarat: Pre-paid electricity metres have been set up in a number of areas,
which promotes efficient use of electricity, limiting wastage.
o Agricultural pumps: Since electricity is given free of cost for a large
proportion of farmers in AP, energy efficiency is not a concern for farmers;
however, there is a need to sensitise them to the overall benefits to the
community/state by being more efficient.
o SRI paddy: The adoption of SRI paddy should be encouraged as it will aid in
meeting the 20% water-use efficiency action point of the National Water
Mission.
o Green cover: The widespread planting of trees and other plants should be
encouraged in order to increase existing green cover.
• Mr. Gupta thus ended the session with an outline for the way forward, highlighting
the need for taking small, achievable and measurable, steps to tackle climate change.
The following table lists some of the ways that CSOs can actively incorporate
strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change:

Table 5: Opportunities for CSOs to actively work on climate change agenda
OpportunitiesThematic
Area Grassroots action Support services Research
Poor and
vulnerable
groups
Pilot initiatives that
address vulnerabilities of
the poor due to climate
variability.
Form a CSO network
and initiate action.
Training to CSOs.
Preparation of
resource/communication
material.
Mapping of vulnerable
areas and groups in the
context of climate change
in AP.
Documentation of
adaptations by
communities
Forestry Strengthen Vana
Samrakshana Samithis
with sustainable forest
development practices.
Networking of NGOs to
facilitate joint programs
of afforestation,
reforestation and agro-
forestry practices
Study of alternate
sustainable land-use
patterns for forest habitats.
Low carbon
economy
Consumer education on
green initiatives.
Identification and
diffusion of suitable
technologies.
Networking with
technology providers.
Piloting testing technology
with community
participation.
CDM Awareness and
motivation to
communities on solar,
biogas, wind energies
and energy efficient
models, etc.
Interaction with
agencies developing
appropriate CDM
technologies for
adoption in rural areas.
Study on CDM options for
the poor and vulnerable
communities, and its
impact on local
environments.
National
Action Plans
on Climate
Change
Sensitisation to
panchayats on climate
change missions
Creation of linkages
with various government
line departments to
implement local, people-
oriented climate change
interventions.
Identification of suitable
action plans for local
geographical areas.
Sectoral &
thematic
assessments
Community-based
interactions on livestock
activities and various
ecosystems like dry-land,
flood-affected, coastal,
forest, and other
vulnerable areas.
Gathering information
from nodal agencies for
creating strategies with a
people-oriented
approach.
Projects in collaboration
with NATCOM.

3. PARTICIPANTS’ FEEDBACK
Overall, the participants’ were largely satisfied with the course of the workshop, with 12
participants finding it “good” or “excellent” (see tables1-5 in Annex 3). Six participants
felt that the workshop inputs were highly useful for their work. The sessions that were
most liked by the participants were those on integrating climate change concerns in
watershed programmes by Mr. G. Chandrasekhar Reddy; the case study on climate
change vulnerability and adaptation by Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy; and the session on the
scope of CSO participation in the implementation of the NAPCC by Mr. Sanjay Gupta.
At the same time, however, it was observed that certain participants had difficulty in
understanding fully those sessions not conducted in Telugu; some participants expressed
that the workshop would have been more beneficial for them had all the sessions and
resource materials provided been in Telugu. Care will thus be taken to ensure that there
are no communication barriers in subsequent workshops. That having been said,
however, 13 participants felt that the knowledge they had gained could be used to train,
educate, and change attitudes of local bodies, villagers, and various livelihoods groups in
a village. In addition, 12 participants felt that the material could be used to train Village
Watershed Development Committee (VWDC) members and other villagers, especially on
aspects related to rural energy management, as shared in the case studies session.
Furthermore, four participants felt that the material was useful to share with the Gram
Sabha.
Participants also gave suggestions on how to improve the workshop, with 13 participants
expressing a wish for a workshop of a longer duration; some participants also suggested
increasing the time devoted to the session on case studies. A need for sessions sharing
technical knowledge, such as on weather- information systems, clean development
mechanisms, and specific adaptation measures, was also expressed. Eight people
suggested that an exposure visit be made a part of the workshop itself to gain better
understanding of the issues. Six people stated that the development of a pool of resource
persons to create awareness and conduct trainings at the grassroots level would prove
useful.
4. CONCLUSION
The workshop effectively introduced the participants to the issues arising from climate
change and to the manner in which climate change is already impacting rural livelihoods
in semi-arid regions such as Andhra Pradesh. Insight was gained on basic fundamentals
related to meteorological science, leading to further discussions on the ways in which
natural resource management practices, specifically within watershed development
projects, can be altered to incorporate adaptive strategies and reduce poverty at the same
time. While keeping in mind the National Action Plan on Climate Change, several
examples of work already being conducted to this end were shared, such as the activities
being implemented by M.V. Foundation and the alternative energy initiatives being taken
by GEO. The need for capacity development of both organisations and communities was

also highlighted, whereby vulnerabilities at the ground-level can be identified and
effective action can be taken to reduce potential risks and face any challenges that may
arise. Furthermore, the framework for future action was laid down, which will be
discussed in greater depth at a follow-up consultation meeting with the participants in the
coming weeks. In addition, sincere efforts were made to include a greater number of
women not only as participants but also as resource people; while 17% of the participants
were women, the proportion was 33% for female resource people, and thus we aim to
ensure greater participation of women in the future workshops. Finally, the constructive
feedback given by the participants also points to the manner in which subsequent
workshops can be improved upon, and care will be taken to incorporate as many
suggestions as possible in order to ensure that all participants’ expectations are met.
Participant singing a Telugu song on the environment at the end of the workshop

Annex 1: List of Participants and Resource People
S. No. Participant’s Name Organisation Gender
1 Md. Imtiyaz Ahamed HELP, Marupally, R.R. District Male
2 M. Raju HELP, Marupally, R.R. District Male
3 S. Rukmoddin HELP, Marupally, R.R.District Male
4 G. Prasad SEED, Sankarpalli, R.R. District Male
5 C.H. Ashok SEED, Sankarpalli, R.R. District Male
6 H. Krishnaiah SEED, Kesavpalli, R.R. District Male
7 P. Prakasam SEED, Navabpeta, R.R. District Male
8 Renuka Jaiswal BIRD, Secunderabad , R.R. District Female
9 K. Shalini BIRD, Kharmanghat, R.R. District Female
10 V. Krishna kishore BIRD, Gandeedu, R.R. District Male
11 K. Ashanna BIRD, Gandeedu, R.R. District Male
12 R.V. Bhaskar MCHS,Gandeedu, R.R. District Male
13 A. Meenakshi M.V.F, Vanasthalipuram, Hyd. Female
14 P.V. Srinivas M.V.F, Vanasthalipuram, Hyd. Male
15 M. Venkatesh M.V.F, Vanasthalipuram, Hyd. Male
16 M. Gopal Reddy VIKASAM, Parigi, R.R. District Male
17 Gopi David VIKASAM, Parigi, R.R. District Male
18 Kishan Babu VIKASAM, Parigi, R.R. District Male
19 H.N. Moorthi VIKASAM, Parigi, R.R. District Male
20 Ch. Uma PEACE, Bhongir, Nalgonda (Dist) Female
21 M. Madhu PEACE, Bhongir, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
22 K. Srinivas Gram vikas, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
23 B. Venkatesh Gram vikas, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
24 K. Saraswathi PARDS, Narayanpur, Nalgonda (Dist Female
25 K. Raju PARDS Narayanapur,Nalgonda (Dist) Male
26 J. Madhukar PARDS, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
27 M. Raju READ, R.R. District Male
28 M. Padma Reddy PILUPU, Bhongir, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
29 M. Janardhan PILUPU, Bhongir, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
30 MD. Fathima PILUPU, Bhongir, Nalgonda (Dist) Female
31 Ch. Bhaskar Reddy SISS, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
32 B. Chandraiah SISS, Nalgonda (Dist) Male
33 Nandeswar PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
34 Vidyasagar PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
35 P. Sudhakar Reddy PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male

Resource Persons
Ms. Nefa PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Female
Mr. N. Brahmam PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
Mr. G. Chandrasekhar
Reddy
CEO, Climate Change and Environmental
Advisory Services, MCR HRD, Hyderabad
Male
Ms. Esther Subhashini Project Coordinator, MVF, Hyderabad Female
Dr. P.K. Nath Associate Professor, NIRD, Hyderabad Male
Dr. V.K. Reddy Ex-Director, NRM Unit MANAGE,Hyderabad Male
Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy CEO, GEO, Hyderabad Male
Mr. Sanjay Gupta Irrigation and Command Area Development,
Government of India
Male
Organising Team
N.L. Narasimha Reddy PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
Shailey Tucker PLF Tarnaka, Secunderabad Female
Jayachandra PLF Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
N. Saidulu PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
M. Manohar PLF, Tarnaka, Secunderabad Male
List of Abbreviations
Organisation Name
BIRD Bharath Institute of Rural Development
GEO Geo-ecology Energy Organisation
MANAGE National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management
M.C.H.S Mono Chaitanya Human Services
MCR HRD Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of AP
M.V.F M. Venkatarangaiya Foundation
PARDS People Action for Rural Development Society
PEACE People Action for Creative Education
PLF Poverty Learning Foundation
READ Rural Education and Agriculture Development
SEED Society for Environment protection and Education Development
SISS Society for Integrated Social Services

Annex 2: Workshop Agenda
Day 1: Introduction to Climate Change
Time Session Plan
9:30-10:00 am Registration
10:00-12:00 am Opening Session
• Welcome to the participants – Mr. N. L. N. Reddy, CEO, PLF
• Introduction of participants – Mr. Brahmam, PLF
• Keynote address – Sri G. Chandrashekar Reddy, IFS, MCHRD
12:00-12:15 am Break
12:15– 1:00pm • Experience sharing by participants
• Expectations of participants
• Introduction to workshop
Ms. Nefa and Ms. Shailey
1:00-1:30pm The Science of Climate Change – Mr. N.L. Narasimha Reddy, CEO,
PLF
1:30 – 2:30 pm Lunch
2:30 – 3:30 pm National Action Plan on Climate Change: Proposed Actions by MVF –
Ms. Esther Subhashini, Project Coordinator, NRM unit, MVF
3:30– 4:30 pm Climate change, Poverty and Livelihoods – Dr. P. K. Nath, Associate
professor, Centre for Agrarian studies and Disaster Management,
NIRD
4:30– 4:45 pm Break
4:45 – 5:30 pm Climate Change and Natural Resource Management – Mr. Bramham &
Ms. Nefa, Watershed Development Fund Programme, PLF
Group-work assigned for presentation on Day 2:
1. National Action Plan on Climate Change
2. Scope for Integration of Climate Change Concerns in
Watershed Programmes (grassroots action)
Day 2: Adaptation to Climate Change
Time Session Plan
10:00 – 1:30 pm Case Studies on Adaptation
• Capacity-building Interventions for Integrating Climate Change
Concerns in Development Programmes and Policies – Dr. V.K.
Reddy, ex-Director, MANAGE
• V&A Project, GEO Interventions and Energy-Efficient
Technologies - Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, CEO, GEO
1:30– 2:30 pm Lunch
2:30 – 3:30 pm Presentations from groups
3:30 – 4:30 pm Integration of climate change concerns in CSO projects – Sri. Sanjay
Gupta, IFS, I&CAD
4:30 – 5:15pm Feedback from participants
5:15 – 5.30 pm Closing

Annex 3: Participants’ Feedback
Table1: Opinion on the way training was conducted2
Not satisfactory (as sessions lack depth) 1
Very much focused 2
Good/Excellent 12
Inputs are useful to use it in our work 6
Understood only 50% of what was said in the training 3
Table 2: Sessions that were most liked by the participants
Integration of climate change concerns in watershed programme 9
Case studies on climate change mitigation and adaptation 8
Scope for CSOs in implementation of NPCC 3
Table 3: Application value of training material to field situation
Can be used to train, educate and change attitudes of local bodies, villagers and different
livelihood groups in a village 13
Can be used to train VWDC members and villagers, in particular aspects related to session
on case studies on rural energy management 12
Useful to share with Gram Sabha 4
Table 4: Participants’ suggestions for improving training
Contents - Excellent 7
Need to include sessions for comprehensive understanding of climate change. 5
Required trainings on different aspects related to CC : Technical aspects (e.g., Weather
Information system, CDM), adaptation measures, etc. 6
More time to be allocated for sessions such as cases studies on climate change mitigation
and adaptation 7
Resource material to be provided in local language 3
All sessions should be in Telugu 3
Training days needs to be increased; and imparted in 3-4 modules in phased manner 13
Trainings are needed for primary stakeholders (e.g., members of watershed development
committee, school children, youth, farmers, etc) 2
Development of pool of resource persons for carrying out training sat grassroots level (and
for creating awareness at village/habitation level) 6
Required exposure visits and demonstrations as part of the training 8
Improvement in tools and training methodologies 2
Table 5: Food and other facilities provided at the place of training
Excellent 11
Good 8
Satisfactory 12
Not satisfactory 1
2
The figures in each table refer to the number of participants who indicated each particular opinion.

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