Rural communities have come to terms with reality of climate change

Over the past three decades, one of the most striking shifts “I’ve observed is how rural communities come to terms with the reality of climate change”, says Crispino Lobo, Co-founder & Managing Trustee, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) in an exclusive interaction with Bizz Buzz. In short, water security and ecosystem restoration are not peripheral concerns — they are central to India’s climate resilience, food security, rural and urban incomes, and economic growth.

By restoring ecosystems and investing in eco-centric watershed development, India can recharge its groundwater, strengthen incomes, stabilise food and energy systems, and build an inclusive, resilient future that meets its broader climate and development goals.

In your decades of rural development work, what shifts have you seen in the rural communities and how they perceive and address the climate crisis?

Over the past three decades, one of the most striking shifts I’ve observed is how rural communities come to terms with the reality of climate change. In my experience, change is rarely a matter of choice, it happens when the world as people know is no longer tenable. Farmers don’t adopt soil and water conservation measures or regulate water use because they’re convinced by an argument. But they do so because their wells have run dry, or because the crisis has left them with no alternative.

Earlier, many communities would see climate variability as “fate” or something beyond their control. But now, as the impacts intensify, I see a growing recognition that individual and collective actions can make a difference. When communities build a farm pond, revive a well, or see a bund hold back soil and water, those visible results become symbols of possibilities. They show that their actions matter, result in desirable outcomes and this creates momentum.

Another change is in leadership and trust. Communities are increasingly willing to follow leaders—whether a sarpanch, a women’s group, or a respected elder—who are seen as fair, inclusive and invested in the cause. It is not only about power but also about moral authority. Wherever this happens, local governance becomes stronger because people feel their voices matter and are heard in shaping the response.

Moreover, the government and development agencies have invested substantial resources - policy, financial and organisational - in agricultural communities to reduce climate-induced risks and build adaptive resilience in rural communities.

How are water security and ecosystem restoration linked to India’s broader climate and development goals?

Water is life. It is not just a resource; it is the backbone of India’s growth story and its resilience against climate change. Every sector, from agriculture to energy, runs on water, and every community depends on it for survival. Yet India faces a deepening water crisis.

With 18% of the world’s population relying on only 4% of its freshwater, nearly 600 million Indians already experience high to extreme water stress. Per capita water availability has fallen below critical thresholds, and many cities could literally run dry by 2030.

Water scarcity is not just an environmental challenge, it is an economic and social one. Water underpins agriculture, industry, households, and energy systems. Crops need reliable irrigation; factories rely on water for processing and cooling; and energy generation, including hydropower, thermal, nuclear and bioenergy, depends on sufficient water supply.

When water access becomes unreliable, crop yields drop, industrial output slows, and energy supply becomes constrained. This triggers a cascade of impacts: food prices rise, incomes are threatened, household expenses increase, and overall economic growth slows. In short, without water security, India cannot sustain its development ambitions.

At the same time, ecosystems form the natural infrastructure that contributes to rainfall, regulates water flow, recharges soils and aquifers, reduces erosion, and buffers against climate extremes. Forests, soils, and wetlands store and filter water, while biodiversity maintains the functioning and stability of these systems.

When ecosystems are degraded, these services will collapse, leaving communities more vulnerable to scarcity, floods, and climate shocks. Restoration and conservation of ecosystems, therefore, is not just an environmental act; it is a strategic investment in human well-being, livelihoods, and resilience.

In short, water security and ecosystem restoration are not peripheral concerns — they are central to India’s climate resilience, food security, rural and urban incomes, and economic growth.

By restoring ecosystems and investing in eco-centric watershed development, India can recharge its groundwater, strengthen incomes, stabilise food and energy systems, and build an inclusive, resilient future that meets its broader climate and development goals.

Could you share examples of how grassroots-led initiatives, especially those driven by women, are transforming local governance of natural resources?

Let me begin with a story. On a bright, sunny day, farmers head out to their fields. Some tend their own land, others work as daily wage labourers, earning to support their families and build food security. If you imagine men at work, you’re not alone.

The reality, however, is quite different. 80% of rural economically-active women work in agriculture and they form nearly 40% of the agricultural workforce. They manage farms, look after livestock, and handle household nutrition, yet their contributions often remain invisible in decisions about natural resources.

When women are given agency, they don’t just act for themselves—they prioritise the well-being of their families and communities.

Research shows women have unique knowledge of climate patterns, crop diversification, resource conservation, and sustainable practices. This expertise positions them as powerful drivers of climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and food security.

At our organisation, we have many examples of how women-led initiatives are reshaping local governance. In our Water Stewardship Initiative, young women called Jal Sevikas play a crucial role. Working alongside Jal Sevaks, they help communities map local aquifers, monitor wells, and record rainfall patterns.

They ensure women’s voices are heard in decision-making, supporting the formation of Village Water Management Teams (VWMTs) where at least 50% of members are women. These teams guide water budgeting, conservation planning, and equitable allocation, fostering sustainable and resilient water management in drought-prone areas.

Women are also transforming agriculture through leadership in Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). Bio-Resource Centres, often managed by women, provide farmers with high-quality organic inputs, and awareness on climate-resilient and sustainable practices.

They act as community hubs where farmers learn to adopt methods that improve soil health, conserve water, and enhance productivity. In FPCs, women directors bring their local knowledge of agriculture and resource management to business decisions—helping guide crop choices, manage inputs efficiently, and link traditional practices with market opportunities.

In essence, grassroots initiatives led by women create a ripple effect. Their leadership in water governance, agriculture, and local enterprises not only empowers them personally but also transforms how entire communities manage land and water.

What role can technology, such as geospatial tools and farm advisory apps, play in bridging the last-mile information gap for farmers?

Technology can play a transformative role in bridging the information gap that often isolates farmers from timely, actionable insights. In rural India, communities are observant, skilled, and deeply connected to their land, but what they often lack is access to relevant knowledge, practical tools, resources and platforms where their voices can influence decisions affecting their incomes.

The challenge is that much innovation today is developed far from these realities, in urban centres where the needs of smallholder farmers are less visible. Advanced climate models, AI-driven analytics, and high-tech interventions can feel distant or irrelevant if not adapted to local conditions.

Technology also strengthens collective action and resource governance. In our water management programmes, we use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), hydrological models, and participatory 3D mapping to help communities visualise their landscapes.

How can multi-stakeholder collaborations, involving government, NGOs, and private players, accelerate climate adaptation in rural India?

Climate adaptation in rural India cannot be achieved by any single actor working in isolation. The scale and complexity of the challenge — degraded ecosystems, water scarcity, low agricultural productivity, and entrenched poverty — require medium to long-term, consistent, and collaborative efforts. This is where multi-stakeholder collaborations become critical.