India’s climate landscape is evolving at an alarming pace, with climate change wreaking havoc on communities across the nation. In 2015, India stood fourth among the countries most affected by climate change, an alarming reality for a nation housing 17% of the world’s population. The statistics are daunting – India generates approximately 3 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases annually, with each citizen responsible for nearly two and a half tonnes of emissions, albeit lower than the global average. Yet, this seemingly modest contribution accounts for 7% of global emissions. The consequences of climate change ripple through the mighty Himalayan glaciers, causing the flow rates of vital rivers such as the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Yamuna to fluctuate. The Indus River, as predicted by a World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report from 2007, teeters on the brink of running dry. Heatwaves intensify, landslides and floods become more frequent, and the scorecard for India’s climate change performance places it eighth among 63 nations contributing to 92% of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2021.

In the face of these challenges, a small village named Telkata Punji in the Hailakandi District of Assam emerges as a protagonist of resilience and innovation. This village is a testament to the transformative power of Caritas India’s FARM Northeast initiative, which is dedicated to improving food sovereignty by working closely with farming families in Northeast India. The program’s objective is clear: to empower these families to achieve self-sufficiency in food production while respecting their cultural food habits. It is a mission that transcends the boundaries of food and embraces a holistic approach to community resilience.

Telkata Punji found itself in the distressing trouble of climate change. During a consultation meeting in December 2022, villagers shared the severe water scarcity that had gripped their lives, a direct consequence of the erratic weather patterns brought about by climate change. The villagers faced the heart-wrenching ordeal of trekking 2-3 kilometers daily to secure water for their basic needs. In the dry season, when water was scarce, they had no choice but to purchase costly mineral water for drinking, compounding their struggles. Tending to a small kitchen garden was an uphill battle.

In this hour of need, Caritas India, in collaboration with MISEREOR Germany, stepped in through its FARM Northeast program, bringing forth a low-cost rainwater harvesting model as a climate-adaptive solution. The initiative aimed to provide Telkata with the tools and knowledge they needed to implement rainwater harvesting in their homes and agricultural lands, tailored to their local wisdom and needs.

The impact was transformative. “This simple yet innovative solution helped us overcome water scarcity issues and become more self-reliant,” shared Mr. Kamsanglun Chongloi, a villager of Telkata Punji. With the introduction of the rainwater harvesting model, the villagers began capturing and storing rainwater during the monsoon season. This stored water became a lifeline during the dry months, allowing farmers to irrigate their crops and sustain agricultural activities even when the heavens withheld their blessings, said Bonani Bhattacharjee, Field Programme Associate, Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS). It was nothing short of a game-changer; the farmers were no longer at the mercy of unpredictable rainfall patterns added Bonani.

The benefits of this climate-adaptive model transcended water security. The villagers were liberated from the arduous task of fetching water from distant sources, saving precious time and energy. Moreover, the financial burden of purchasing mineral water during the dry season was significantly lightened, as they now had a sustainable and cost-effective water source. Mr. Kaisei Haokip, a Community Educator, Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS), emphasized that the project also focused on identifying and reviving traditional knowledge for sustainability, bridging the past with the present for a more resilient future.

Over time, the rainwater harvesting initiative in Telkata Punji became a source of inspiration for neighbouring villages grappling with similar water scarcity challenges. Its resounding success showcased the effectiveness of low-cost, practical solutions in confronting climate-related adversities.

Telkata Punji’s transformation into a climate-adaptive community not only ensured water availability for agriculture but also elevated the overall well-being of its residents. The burdens of water-fetching and the financial strain of purchasing bottled water during dry spells were alleviated. Villagers could channel their energies towards agriculture, their primary source of sustenance.

As this initiative blossomed, it morphed into a symbol of hope for other communities, demonstrating that resilience in the face of climate change was attainable through practical, community-driven solutions. Telkata Punji’s journey symbolizes the power of collective action and innovation in safeguarding the future, one that is firmly grounded in cultural traditions while embracing modernity.

Looking ahead, the program plans to engage with various government departments to explore drinking and irrigation schemes. The success of Telkata Punji has not only secured the village’s future but also opened doors for further collaboration and replication of this climate-adaptive model.