Role Of Local Governance In Climate Change Adaptation

Role of Local Governance In Climate Adaptation

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Devolution of Powers up to Local Levels, GS III: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Disaster Management.

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Climate Change and Local Governance
3. Key Challenges
4. Best Practices in Local Climate Action
5. Way Forward

Why in the News?

An opinion article states that Gram Panchayats, despite being at the forefront of climate change impacts, need greater powers, funds, and planning authority to effectively contribute to India’s climate goals.

News in Brief

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• India is witnessing rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, water scarcity, floods, droughts, and livelihood disruptions due to climate change.
• While India has strengthened its climate commitments under the revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), effective implementation requires empowering local governments.
• The article argues that Gram Panchayats, being closest to people, should become central partners in climate adaptation and natural resource management.

Climate Change and Local Governance

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• Climate change is increasingly affecting rural India through rising heat waves, erratic monsoons, water scarcity, crop failures, floods, droughts, loss of livelihoods, and migration.
• Rural communities are highly dependent on agriculture and natural resources, making them particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
• As these impacts are first felt at the village level, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) play a crucial role in building climate resilience and promoting sustainable development.

Importance of Local Governance

• Since climate change impacts vary across regions, local solutions are more effective than one-size-fits-all approaches.
• Gram Panchayats possess knowledge of local ecosystems, natural resources, and community needs, enabling them to:
  • Prepare climate-resilient Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
  • Promote water conservation, afforestation, and watershed management.
  • Strengthen disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
  • Encourage climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable resource management.
  • Ensure community participation through Gram Sabhas.
• Thus, empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions are indispensable for effective climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and achieving sustainable rural development in India.

 

Key Challenges

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• Weak Functional Devolution
  • Although the Constitution assigns several subjects to Panchayats, administrative control largely remains with government departments, limiting local decision-making.
• Financial Constraints
  • Panchayats lack adequate grants, flexible climate finance, and untied funds, making climate adaptation plans difficult to implement.
• Limited Planning Capacity
  • Climate planning remains largely top-down, while Panchayats often lack technical expertise and institutional capacity to prepare village-level climate plans.
• Declining Devolution
  • The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 and Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI) indicate that the devolution of Functions, Funds, and Functionaries (3Fs) has weakened in several states.

Best Practices in Local Climate Action

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Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra)

• Hiware Bazar is a nationally recognised model of community-led watershed management and climate resilience.
• Key initiatives:
  • Watershed development and rainwater harvesting
  • Drought-proofing through groundwater recharge
  • Water conservation and efficient water use
  • Active community participation in resource management
• Significance
  • Demonstrates how local governance can improve water security, agriculture, and rural livelihoods.

Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra)

• Ralegan Siddhi is known for transforming a drought-prone village into a sustainable rural development model.
• Key initiatives:
  • Watershed development
  • Soil and moisture conservation
  • Afforestation and protection of common lands
  • Promotion of sustainable agriculture
• Significance – Highlights the role of ecological restoration and community participation in climate adaptation.

Bela Gram Panchayat (Maharashtra)

• Bela Gram Panchayat has adopted effective water conservation practices to address water scarcity.
• Key initiatives:
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Efficient water management
  • Conservation of local water resources
• Significance – Serves as a replicable model for drought-prone villages.

Bokaro (Jharkhand)

• Bokaro has effectively utilized District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for environmental protection.
• Key initiatives:
  • Ecological restoration
  • Environmental conservation
  • Rehabilitation of mining-affected areas
    • Funds are used for the welfare and sustainable development of mining-affected communities.

Kerala

• Several coastal Gram Panchayats in Kerala have integrated climate risks into local development planning.
• Key initiatives:
  • Weather-risk management
  • Climate-resilient local planning
  • Disaster preparedness for coastal hazards
• Significance- Strengthens resilience against cyclones, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.

Assam

• Panchayats in Assam have adopted climate-resilient practices to address recurring floods.
• Key initiatives:
  • Community-based flood preparedness
  • Early warning dissemination
  • Strengthening community resilience
• Significance- Enhances local capacity to reduce disaster risks and protect lives and livelihoods

Way Forward

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• Integrate Panchayats into National and State Action Plans on Climate Change by assigning clear responsibilities, planning authority, and adequate financial resources.
• Strengthen the 3Fs—Functions, Funds, and Functionaries so Panchayats can effectively plan, decide, implement, and monitor climate initiatives.
• Mainstream climate adaptation into Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and enhance the technical capacity of Panchayat representatives.
• Expand climate finance through adequate and flexible grants for local bodies.
• Promote nature-based solutions such as watershed development, afforestation, and water conservation.
• Encourage peer learning by linking high-performing Panchayats with others to replicate successful practices.
• Ensure convergence of schemes such as MGNREGS, Jal Jeevan Mission, PMKSY, and State climate programmes.
• Strengthen Gram Sabhas to ensure community participation and inclusive, locally driven climate governance

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

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Consider the following statements:

1. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment inserted Part IX into the Constitution.
2. The Eleventh Schedule contains 29 subjects.
3. Water management is included in the Eleventh Schedule.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only

Answer: C

Mains Practice Question

Q. “Achieving India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement requires empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions through effective devolution of functions, funds, and functionaries. Critically examine the role of local governments in climate-resilient governance and suggest measures to strengthen decentralized climate action.” (15 Marks, 250 Words)

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