Discussion Forum: Community-Centered Adaptation
Forest-Dependent Communities Project (Jaunpur Block, Uttarakhand)
A strong example of a community-centered adaptation plan in Uttarakhand is the “Building Climate Resilience of Forest-Dependent Communities” project in Jaunpur block. It shows how local values, vulnerability assessments, and conflict resolution were integrated to strengthen adaptive capacity.
Represents Community Values
· The plan was designed around local livelihoods tied to forests—fuelwood, fodder, and non-timber products.
· Villagers were directly involved in decision-making, ensuring that adaptation strategies reflected their cultural and economic priorities.
2. Addresses Challenges
· Communities faced deforestation, erratic rainfall, and soil erosion.
· The project introduced afforestation drives, soil conservation techniques, and water harvesting structures to tackle these issues.
3. Adequately Assesses Vulnerability
· A vulnerability and risk assessment (VRA) was conducted, mapping exposure to climate risks like landslides and drought.
· This helped identify households most dependent on fragile forest resources, ensuring targeted support.
4. Demonstrates Conflict Resolution
· Forest use often caused conflicts between villagers and forest officials.
· The plan promoted joint forest management committees, creating a platform for dialogue and shared responsibility.
· This reduced tensions and built trust between communities and government agencies.
5. Meets Community’s Expectations and Needs
· Villagers wanted secure livelihoods and reduced climate risks.
· The project delivered by diversifying income sources (e.g., promoting medicinal plants, eco-tourism) and improving water availability.
6. Contributes to Adaptive Capacity
· By strengthening local institutions and training communities in sustainable practices, the project improved their ability to cope with future climate shocks.
· It also linked local efforts with state-level climate action plans, ensuring long-term support.