Climate-Induced Livelihood Vulnerabilities and Adaptation in Contrasting Watersheds of Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Climate change and land-use alterations are intensifying vulnerabilities in critical river basins, particularly within semi-arid agro-ecologies. This study assesses agro-ecology-specific climate risks, environmental degradation, and adaptation practices in the farming households of two contrasting watershed systems in Tamil Nadu: the Upper Vaigai (rainfed, drought-prone) and the Lower Palar (coastal, flood-prone). Primary data were collected from 200 farm households using a structured survey. The study found that the Upper Vaigai watershed is severely impacted by drought, leading to groundwater depletion, soil moisture deficits, and ecosystem degradation. In contrast, the Lower Palar watershed experiences intensive rainfall, cyclones, and floods, resulting in socioeconomic stresses such as migration and drinking water scarcity. While institutional mechanisms like MGNREGA, crop insurance, and extension services provided some adaptive support, implementation gaps persist. The findings underscore the need for location-specific strategies: enhancing soil and water conservation in Upper Vaigai and strengthening flood resilience and traditional water system management in Lower Palar. Integrating participatory GIS and ICT tools is recommended for building adaptive capacity across these climate-sensitive agro-ecologies.
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Introduction
Tamil Nadu, situated in the rain shadow region of the South-West Monsoon, depends heavily on the North-East Monsoon for its rainfall [1]. The region'stopography fosters west-to-east flowing watersheds, which are increasingly stressed by changes in land-use patterns and climate variability [2, 3]. These changes manifest differently across agro-ecological zones, affecting the 'carrying capacity' of ecosystems and demanding 'environmental justice' in resource management [4]. This study focuses on two critical and contrasting watersheds: the Upper Vaigai and the Lower Palar. The Upper Vaigai watershed, a tropical wet to semi-arid transition zone, is crucial for originating the Vaigai River. Despite pockets of high rainfall (1500-2500 mm/year), most of this watershed receives only 500-1000 mm annually [5]. Environmental degradation in this upper catchment therefore threatens the entire river basin. Conversely, the Lower Palar watershed lies in a semi-arid to coastal zone. While its upper reaches are dry, its lower part receives higher rainfall (1000-1500 mm/year) and historically relied on tank-based water systems [6].
Climate vulnerabilities have intensified in both watersheds, but their manifestations differ, affecting agricultural livelihoods indistinct ways. Previous studies have often examined watersheds in isolation. A comparative analysis of contrasting agro- Website: www.ijoear.com Journal DOI: 10.25125/agriculture-journal ecologies is essential to develop nuanced, location-specific adaptation policies. Therefore, this study aims to: (1) assess and compare agro-ecology-specific climate risks and environmental vulnerabilities at the farm household level, and (2) identify and evaluate prevalent and potential climate-resilient adaptation practices in the Upper Vaigai and Lower Palar watersheds.
Conclusion
This comparative study reveals that climate vulnerabilities in Tamil Nadu'scritical watersheds are profoundly shaped by local agro-ecology. The Upper Vaigai watershed is a drought-vulnerable system where agricultural stress and groundwater depletion are paramount. The Lower Palar watershed is an extreme-weather vulnerable system facing floods, ecological degradation, and associated socioeconomic disruptions.
A uniform climate adaptation policy is therefore inadequate. Resilience building must be location-specific: Policy in Upper Vaigai must prioritize investments in watershed-scale soil and water conservation and community-managed groundwater recharge. Policy in Lower Palar should focus on modernizing traditional water infrastructure for flood control, rehabilitating degraded lands, and promoting diversified, saline-resilient farming systems. Across both regions, there is a critical need to bridge the gap between institutional schemes and farm-level adoption by strengthening agricultural extension, fostering farmer institutions, and integrating geospatial and ICT technologies for targeted advisory services.
By adopting such a differentiated approach, stakeholders can enhance the adaptive capacity of farming communities, ensuring the ecological and socio-economic sustainability of these vital watersheds Website: www.ijoear.com Journal DOI: 10.25125/agriculture-journal CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest.