Assam, nestled in the northeastern corner of India, faces an existential crisis triggered by climate change and it is also quite clear that the state’s indigenous people seem most at risk. The state’s vast natural resources, ecological fragility, and agrarian dependence make it particularly vulnerable to the shifting climate. Ranked as India’s most climate-vulnerable state in the 2021 Climate Vulnerability Index, Assam is grappling with growing instability in annual and seasonal rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and frequent extreme weather events. And the farmers in Karbi Anglong are feeling the heat.
Assam’s geography, characterized by the expansive Brahmaputra and Barak river basins, contributes to its susceptibility. These mighty rivers, vital for the region’s economy, have also become conduits of destruction due to their swelling waters. The state has witnessed a sharp increase in catastrophic floods, landslides, and soil erosion, exacerbated by climate change. Assam’s dwindling green cover and its precarious geo-ecological conditions further compound these challenges.
The effects of these climate phenomena ripple across sectors, but agriculture bears the brunt of the disruption. Farmers in Assam, already grappling with socio-economic hardships, are now contending with unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures that threaten their livelihoods. Nowhere is this plight more visible than in Karbi Anglong district, where paddy farmers are struggling to adapt to the changing environment.
Karbi Anglong Farmers: A Struggle Against Climate Change
For decades, the farmers of Karbi Anglong have relied on paddy cultivation as their primary source of livelihood. But in recent years, their fields have become battlegrounds against an unpredictable climate. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and an increased frequency of extreme weather events have severely impacted paddy yields in the district.
Farmers here recall a time when they could harvest 500 kilograms of paddy per bigha. However, this year, yields have plummeted to approximately 300 kilograms per bigha, a devastating loss for communities already living on the brink. The erratic rainfall has delayed planting, hindered crop growth, and drastically reduced output, leaving farmers in despair.
“We are facing a severe crisis due to the decline in paddy production,” said Sika Teronpi, a farmer from Karbi Anglong. “The changing climate has affected our crops badly. We are struggling to make ends meet.” Her words capture the growing anxiety of an entire community that depends on agriculture not just for sustenance but for identity and security.
The declining paddy yields have forced many farmers to abandon traditional farming practices. With fewer returns, some have begun migrating to urban areas in search of alternative livelihoods. Others, however, remain tied to their land, hoping for a change in fortune. For many, this hope lies in government support and intervention.
The economic repercussions of these losses are enormous, but the social and environmental consequences are equally significant. Reduced paddy availability has led to increased food insecurity, especially for vulnerable populations. The pressure on other natural resources, such as forests and water sources, has intensified, resulting in deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. The cascading effects of these challenges demonstrate how climate change, though primarily a scientific phenomenon, has become a deeply human crisis.
The Government’s Response: A Glimmer of Hope?
Amid growing concerns, Assam MP Pabitra Margherita, in 2023, raised the issue of climate change impacts in Assam in the Rajya Sabha, seeking answers about the government’s long-term strategies to mitigate its effects. Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey responded, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue and outlining the government’s approach.
Choubey explained that flood management and soil erosion control primarily fall under the jurisdiction of state governments. However, he noted that the Union Government plays a supportive role by providing financial assistance and technical guidance. “A central assistance of ₹1,514.46 crore has been provided to Assam under the Flood Management Programme until December 2022,” Choubey said. The funds aim to mitigate the impact of floods, which have become increasingly frequent and severe due to erratic rainfall and river silting.
The minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to bolster Assam’s preparedness against floods through infrastructure and forecasting systems. “There are 30 flood forecasting stations operational in the state, and efforts under the National Water Policy focus on flood mitigation and sustainable solutions,” he added. These measures include integrating reservoirs, rehabilitating natural drainage systems, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
On climate change adaptation, Choubey emphasized that Assam’s State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) aligns with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). The SAPCC targets several key areas, including agriculture, water, and biodiversity, with a specific focus on reducing vulnerability. “A sum of ₹24.56 crore has been sanctioned for managing the Kaziranga National Park ecosystem and creating climate-resilient livelihoods for vulnerable communities,” Choubey revealed, pointing to the government’s commitment to protecting both natural and human ecosystems.
At the district level, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has stepped in to address the immediate challenges faced by farmers. The council has introduced incentives, such as subsidies on fertilizers and seeds, to help farmers adapt to the changing climate. Additionally, programs promoting drought-tolerant crop varieties, improved irrigation facilities, and sustainable farming practices are underway to build resilience.
However, the minister acknowledged the complexity of directly attributing increased flooding to climate change. “The occurrence of floods is influenced by factors like rainfall variability, erosion, riverbed silting, and poor natural drainage,” Choubey stated. While mathematical modeling has suggested climate change impacts, definitive empirical verification remains a challenge.
Under the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), the government has established a State Climate Change Cell in Assam. The cell conducts district-level vulnerability assessments, provides training for stakeholders, and builds institutional capacity to handle climate change programs. Choubey emphasized that these efforts aim to empower communities to adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate.
The Road Ahead
The plight of Karbi Anglong’s farmers and the broader climate challenges faced by Assam highlight the urgent need for collective action. While government initiatives provide a glimmer of hope, the scale of the crisis requires more integrated efforts. Stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, and policymakers, must work together to build sustainable solutions that address the root causes of climate vulnerability.
The declining paddy yields in Karbi Anglong are a microcosm of the larger climate crisis unfolding across Assam. Without immediate and sustained action, the state risks not only economic losses but also a significant erosion of its social and environmental fabric. The future of Assam’s agriculture—and the livelihoods tied to it—depends on the success of efforts to mitigate climate change and build resilience against its impacts.
For now, the voices of farmers like Sika Teronpi serve as a stark reminder of what is at stake. Their resilience, combined with strategic interventions, could pave the way for a more sustainable future. But time is running out, and the cost of inaction grows with each passing season.
This story has been published as part of the AIPP-EastMojo Fellowship 2024
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