Climate Variability and Rural Livelihood Systems: A Case Study of Three Coastal Villages in India

The paper examined the trends of climate variability and local environmental changes and their implications on the livelihood of the people at local level in two Coastal districts in the state of Odisha in India. A trend analysis of the climatic variables has been made based on the Indian Meteorological Department database and the perception of local communities on the implications of these as well as other local environmental changes on livelihood has been discussed through a case study in three coastal villages. The trend analysis has been conducted at district and regional level where as the perception analysis has been done at village level. The perception study is based on a survey of 210 households in 3 villages, extensive discussion with key informants in the local community, focused group discussions, and direct observation of the researchers. The analysis of time series meteorological data shows that there is a moderate change in climatic variables. Interestingly, the analysis of community perception at local level found some conformity between local perceptions and scientific claims about the trends of climate variability and local environmental changes. The results show that climatic variation impacts the livelihood systems of rural communities through its interaction with local natural environmental resources and other socio-economic characteristics of the communities. Local people also have considerable knowledge about the changes happening in the natural resources around them and trying to adapt to the change.