Droughts, Dalits & Adivasis: a study on the impact of droughts catalysed by climate change on the Dalits and the Adivasis of Marathwada region of Maharashtra

The study captures the tryst of the Dalit and Adivasi communities that bear the brunt of historical descent/caste-based oppression, inequalities and discrimination with recurring droughts in the region. As climate change intensifies, the Dalits (or the Scheduled Castes) and Adivasis (or the Scheduled Tribes) with their women, children, aged and PwDs adopt precarious coping strategies to droughts in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, in India.

It is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It provides recommendations to make drought proofing/management; state climate action plans, and disaster management from the local to higher governance levels inclusive of their voices and concerns. Participation of the marginalised and vulnerable groups is the sine qua non for resilience and building back better through policy change, programmes, impact investment, monitoring and adaptation.