The synergy between community-led governance and digital tools was the focus of ECOBARI’s recent Resilience Webinar. The webinar brought together experts in the field of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to discuss insights and strategies for enhancing climate resilience in communities at risk.
The webinar featured distinguished speakers such as Dr. Neha Bhadbhade from SOPPECOM, Dr. Sonali Shinde from Gram Gaurav Pratishthan, and Dr. Eshwer Kale of WOTR, who moderated the discussion. Arjuna Srinidhi, ECOBARI’s national anchor, emphasized the importance of their platform as a beacon for EbA knowledge, resources, and best practices.
Here are the key takeaways from the webinar:
1. The Pani Panchayat model pioneered by Gram Gaurav Pratishthan was highlighted as a successful example of community-driven governance of essential natural resources. Given the increasing water scarcity, adopting localized and inclusive governance models like Pani Panchayat is crucial.
2. Advanced digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing and geographic information system (RS-GIS), drone surveys, community-led assessment of resilience tools (CLART), and global multi-resolution terrain elevation data (GMT), play a pivotal role in sustainable water governance. These tools, when used collaboratively with farmers, provide valuable insights into groundwater levels, soil metrics, and more.
3. Holistic water management requires the collective effort of all stakeholders. It involves finding a balance between conservation, suitable crop selection, efficient water use, and resource supply.
4. Dr. Sonali Shinde highlighted the urgent need for more green jobs and personnel trained in watershed development at the grassroots level. She pointed out the current shortage of staff, even among government officials.
5. On the topic of data security, Dr. Neha Bhadbhade clarified that all data is community-owned. The collection mechanisms are secure and straightforward, ensuring that the data remains within the community’s safekeeping.
In conclusion, EbA encompasses adaptive capacities, ecosystem services, and participatory governance. Success stories like the Pani Panchayat model inspire a sustainable path forward in the face of climate change. ECOBARI’s webinars aim to gather and disseminate these lessons to create a brighter and more resilient future. The ‘Southbound Resilience Webinar’ series is organized in collaboration with WOTR and W-CReS and supported by Honeywell.
About ECOBARI:
ECOBARI is a collaborative effort that brings together various stakeholders with a shared vision of empowering communities for a sustainable future. By enabling communities to conserve their local biodiversity, restore and sustainably manage their natural resources, ECOBARI aims to empower communities to derive resilient incomes and improve their quality of life through nature-based and nature-positive solutions in response to climate change.
About W-CReS:
W-CReS (WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies) is an autonomous research unit that undertakes applied research on ground-level problems using a trans-disciplinary approach. The objective of W-CReS is to understand causal relationships, identify effective strategies for change, and contribute to capacity building and policy enhancement in various areas.
About WOTR:
Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of millions of poor people in India through participatory watershed development, ecosystems restoration, sustainable agriculture, water management, and climate change adaptation. WOTR works with rural communities across multiple thematic areas, including water and land management, climate-resilient agriculture, livelihoods, women empowerment, and health.
For more details on the webinar and ECOBARI, please visit the provided links.
