Socio-ecological resilience as a sustainable development strategy for remote rural settlements in different geo-climatic zones of India

Socio-Ecological Systems (SESs) play a fundamental role in determining the inherent capacities of rural communities located in and around natural systems like forest areas, as SESs are intricately linked with the environment. In the wake of climate change, the customary human-nature relationships found in such remote communities are alleged to be perishing as the local SESs are being distorted by the changing environmental conditions. Since a large proportion of the rural population in India lives in and around natural systems, the country is increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts. Further, being placed in diverse geo-climatic settings, remote rural communities in India are often side-lined from the mainstream development process.

This study pushes for a community-centric approach for establishing a better understanding of risk perceptions and local priorities for risk reduction. With an explicit focus on SESs in remote rural communities, this study has come up with a defined set of indicators in consideration with diverse geo-climate settings in India. These indicators are used to study the existing situation in eight selected rural settlements from four different areas in India: Melghat region, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Katrenikona Mandal and Zunheboto region.

Using a choice-based preference method, the community perceptions regarding different indicators of SESs are being assessed and suitable directions for building grass-root level resilience are being recommended. The indicators, which are essential for understanding SESs, include ecosystem services, environmental governance, socio-culture, livelihoods and natural hazards. These resilience efforts will align with global policy frameworks on sustainable and resilient urban habitats, including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. The study results highlight that the ‘livelihoods’ aspect is the foremost priority for all the rural communities irrespective of the climatic zone, and that traditional knowledge and customs serve as a support system for driving these remotely placed rural communities.

The study results promote a greater awareness at governance level of the importance of traditional local knowledge and indigenous practices in disaster risk reduction, which corresponds with the objectives of the Sendai Framework. This research can potentially help local governments to mobilise their resources more effectively towards preparing community-oriented strategies for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, thereby focusing on Priority 2 of the Sendai Framework.