Experiences of Kalvi Kendra and Community people

S.Chinnappan

Kalvi Kendra

Climate Change and its Impact on Coastal areas

About KalviKendra Kalvi Kendra, “the NGO” was born on the bed of a man-

made Disaster - a communal violence on Dalits that tookplace in 30 years ago in Villupuram. A Dalit colony had beenset on fire, 12 Dalits had been murdered.

This incident was the foundation for establishment of KalviKendra with objective of promoting a world of fraternity andequality for deprived sections torn by hatred and enimity

Kalvi Kendra started working on Disaster RiskReduction as a follow up of Tsunami Rehabilitationwork from 2005 onwards.

About Area- General Information Coastal area of Villupuram District, Tamilnadu, adjoining

Pondicherry, Union Territory of India

It is 30 km coastal line with population more than 3.5Lakh.

In the region, the poorest communities are fishingcommunity and dalits living on coast line

They become more vulnerable as they are living in floodplains- only available place to live and suitable for theiroccupation (fishing and agriculture)

In coastal regions, lack of infrastructure such as No early warning system and Hazard resistant houses.

Lack of saving, credit linkages, insurance leading to limited capacity to recover from disaster.

Coastal Zone and Climate Change

Kalvi Kendra did a Risk Assessment in 2007 in 30 coastal villages.

Apart from Hazard, vulnerability and Capacity Assessment, community also reflected some changes in climatic conditions/patterns over the years.

Densely populated coastal area are facing the following problems:

Increased risk of Sea Level rise- damage of houses and properties

Sea erosion has accelerated – 3 coastal villages submerged in sea in last two years. (Thanthirayan Kuppam, CM Chawadi, Nadu Kuppam)

Sea level increasing leading to intrusion of “Salt water” into ground water and badly affecting the drinking water. Saline water lead to hundreds of acres of land become alcaine.

Sea erosion

It has also lead to loss of wetlands/mangrove bio shields.

Accelerated evaporation reduced the effectiveness of water reservoirs and water bodies

Over a period of time, as per local community, fish catch has reduced, . They have to go FAR AWAY in sea to catch fish.

Low agriculture and fishing leading to forced Migration especially among Dalits.

Rainfall is Unpredictable in Coastal region. Past years have seen unusual floods.

As per villages, earlier (3 decades back) Cyclone used to come and go without causing much damage. Now, their speed is high, and they cause disruption .

Change in season, rise in temperature, has started affecting Tourism in Pondicherry

Being in Costal/high risk area, Adaptation is more difficult than others who are living in plain.

Finally.... Ms. Malini Mehra (Political Scientist) and founder of

Centre for Social Marketing cautions-

if the earth Global surface temperature goes up by 2 degrees, Chennai and Mumbai could be submerged

into sea

Efforts to reduce risk....

Risk reduction Measures by people

Initiated and being supported a movement called

“Save the Earth Movement”

- It’s a peoples movement at the grass root level to

protect the environment and save the earth by doing little

things what they can do at their level. This movement

focusing on the following activities

1. Environment building

To make everyone in the community to aware of the global

warming and to understand the climate change adaptation

through seminars, meetings, workshops, cultural programs,

hand outs, pamphlets, posters, etc.,

2. Energy Conservation

- Saving of electricity

- Familiarizing CFL bulbs

- Using solar energy

Efforts continue....3. Environment Protection Supporting Organic farming

Reducing usage of plastics

Rain water harvesting

Tree plantation

Usage of smokeless choolas

Running CCA Mart (Selling CFL lamps, saplings, organic manure, insurance products, eco friendly and recycling materials > 20 microns)

Collecting and dumping of e-garbages

4. Lobby and Advocacy

Grass root advocacy with PRI and District Administration

Integrating the DRR concept with the on going development activities

Evolving modules for SHG training programs

Evolving curriculum for School Children

School safety and Insurance for Children

Training modules for Farmers

Mock drill and exercises to the Rescue teams

Training in swimming, First Aid, safety measures.

Publishing of IEC materials

Kalvi Kendra has been involved in implementing a CMDRR program on a pilot basis in 10 flood-prone villages located on the bank of the river Thenpennai, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu, adopting the following strategies

Strengthening the Elected PRI leaders to be proactive to CMDRR program

A Consortium of PRI leaders has been formed and oriented in Preparing and implementing Contingency and Development plan for their community

Create infrastructure facilities (prevention walls, rescue centres, hazard free shelters)

Creating DRR Reserve fund

Involving in Lobby and Advocacy with the District Administration to mobilize the local resources for DRR program

Pilot Program - CMDRR

Human Safety - CMDRR Formation of DRRMC (Disaster Risk Reduction Management

Committee) at the village level which constitutes the members of elected leaders, Village Administrative Officer, Head Master / Teacher, representatives of youth, women and men, elders, etc.,

Participatory Risk Assessment (Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity)

Planning the DRR activities

Reviewing & Monitoring the DRR activities

Human Safety – CMDRR continued…….

Formation of Rescue team

Insuring the lives and properties

Infrastructure Development - CMDRR

Infrastructure Development (Construction of Rescue

centres, retention / prevention walls, hazard resistance

shelters, safe drinking water)

Agriculture Development - CMDRR

Raising bunds on the river side

Insuring the crops and cattles

Nursery Raising

Flood resistant crops

Conducting veterinary crops

Organic farming

Tree plantation

Livelihood Promotion - CMDRR

Promotion of Savings and thrift

Credit linkages

Supporting Income Generation Activates

Entrepreneur Development

Information and Awareness - CMDRR

Organizing Cultural programs

Training and orientation on DRR to various groups in the

community

Integrating DRR education to the school going children in the

evening coaching centres

Promoting CRPs (Community Resource Persons)

Establishing Public Announcement System

Thanks You!!!