ABSTRACT
The economy of Odisha, one of the Eastern states in India is primarily agrarian. Over 80% of the population of Odisha lives in rural areas, where levels of poverty are higher than in the state’s towns and cities. Odisha has the highest proportion of inhabitants from scheduled tribes (ST) and scheduled castes (SC) of all the states in India (39.9% compared to 24% nationally). These groups are marginalised and experience high rates of poverty, low levels of education, and poor health. Four of the poorest Western Odisha districts, i.e., Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, and Kalahandi were selected for implementation of Western Odisha Rural Livelihoods Project (WORLP) at the initial stage. Bolangir and Bargarh districts are a part of the “West Central Table Land Zone” and have a hot and sub-humid climate.1 Similarly, Kalahandi and Nuapada districts are a part of the “Western Undulating Zone” and have hot moist and sub-humid climate.2
Both agro-climatic zones are located in Eastern Plateau and Hills Zone (Zone number 7) of India (Behera et al. 2005). People living in this region are likely to be witnessing deteriorating climatic conditions (floods, drought, and temperature rise), with increased risks from disease and pests, and with associated implications for human and livestock health. Over half of the people living in western Odisha are from ST and SC communities. These people in western Odisha are highly vulnerable to climate change, partly as their poverty limits their capacity to deal with shocks and stress, partly as a result of living in an area of high environmental risk with dependence on climate sensitive livelihoods. This is a region of India where the mean temperatures are rising, and where the vulnerability profile places it among the highest risk areas in the country (WORLP 1999).
