compedium book 2014
Post on 01-Jan-2017
291 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
i
: Edited by :
Ms. Hetal Seju, Ms. Nisha Shah, Prof. Ravi Saxena &
Mr. Piyush Chauhan
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
On
Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives:
Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a Focus on Farmers
November 8 - 9, 2014
Institute of Law, Nirma University Ahmedabad
Institute of Law,
Nirma University
National Council for Climate Change,
Sustainable Development and
Public Leadership
Organized by :
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
ii
GROW GREEN
International Conference on
Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives:
Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a Focus on Farmers
November 8 - 9, 2014
Institute of Law, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad
Organized by:
National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development
and Public Leadership (NCCSD) and
Institute of Law, Nirma University
This compendium is a compilation of the abstracts
of papers to be presented in the International Conference on
Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives :
Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a Focus on Farmers
The abstract have been directly adapted from the Authors submissions.
And views mentioned there in are that of the Authors.
The publishers are not responsible for errors if there are any.
Conference Secretary:
Prof. Ravi Saxena
Asst. Prof., Political Science,
Institute of Law, Nirma University
S.G.Highway, Ahmedabad
Gujarat, PIN: 382481
Publisher:
DR. KIRIT N SHELAT, IAS (RETD)
Executive Chairman,
National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership (NCCSD),
Phone/Fax No. (00 91 79) 26421580
Email:- drkiritshelat@gmail.com, info@nccsdindia.org
First Printing : November, 2014
Printed By:
Sahitya Mudranalaya Pvt. Ltd.,
City Mill Compound, Kankaria Road,
Ahmedabad - 380 022
All Rights Reserved
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
iii
CONTENTS
Sr. No. TITLE Page No.
1 Conference Programme iv
2 Foreword ix
3 From Chairman’s Desk xi
4 Preface xii
5 Messages xiii
6 The Organizers xxvii
7 The Knowledge Partners xxix
8 The Supporters xxxv
9 Key Speakers xlii
10 Key Papers 1
11 Abstracts 36
12 Case Studies 122
13 Student Organising Committee 126
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
iv
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
v
10.0 - 11.30 A.M - H.E. The Governor of Gujarat and the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India are received
by Justice B. P. Singh – President of NCCSD and Dr. Anup Singh-Vice Chancellor
of Nirma University
- The Dignitaries will be conducted to the Dais
- Ganesh Stuti
- Welcome Address by - Dr. Gopichandran-Director, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi
- Dignitaries will be presented Flower bouquet and Mementoes.
- Lightening of Lamp
- Address - Justice B. P. Singh-Formerly Judge, Supreme Court of India & President
of NCCSD
- Address - Hon'ble Shri Bhuprendra Singh Chudasama-Minister of Education,
Government of Gujarat
- Address -Hon'ble Mr Justice V.M. Sahai- the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court,
Gujarat
- Address - Hon'ble Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu, the Chief Justice of India, New Delhi.
- Book "Climate Smart Agriculture-The Indian Perspective" and Pre-Compendium
release
- Presidential Address by- Shri Om Prakash Kohli- H.E the Governor Gujarat
- Vote of Thanks by - Prof. (Dr.) Purvi Pokhariyal, Director & Dean, Institute of Law,
Nirma University
- National Anthem
INAUGURAL FUNCTION
Date : 8th November, 2011
Venue: NIM Auditorium, Nirma University, S. G. highway, Ahmedabad
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
vi
VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
Date : 9th November, 2011
Venue: NIM Auditorium, Nirma University, S. G. highway, Ahmedabad
13.00-Onward - Ganesh Stuti
- Welcome Speech- Ravi Saxena-Asst. Prof. Nirma University
- Felicitation
- Presentation of Memento and Bouquet
- Overall conclusion of Seminar --: Dr. Gopichandran
- Way Forward-Dr. Kirit Shelat
- Address by Guest of Honour -Shri Parshottam Rupala
- Valedictory Address- Valedictory Address by Shri Babubhai B. Bokhiriya - Hon'ble
Minister of Agriculture & Water Resources, Government of Gujarat.
- Presidential Address by- Justice B. P. Singh, Formerly Judge of Supreme Court of
India / President of NCCSD
- Vote of thanks- Narayanbhai Patel-NCCSD
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
vii
DETAILED PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Strengthen Climate Justice Initiatives at the local level with
for sustainable livelihood with a focus on farmers"
On 8th to 9th November, 2014
At, Institute of Law, NIRMA University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Date:- 08-11-2014
8.30 - 10.00 Registration
10.00 - 11.30 Inaugural Session
11.30 - 12.00 High Tea
12.00 - 13.30 Plannery-1
• Opening of Theme - Dr K.N.Shelat with Dr.Gopi Chandran
• Key note speech - Dr. Anthony Whitbread-ICRISET-Hyderabad
• Dr. Govind Hariharan, Chair and Professor, Coles College of Business, Kennesaw
State University, Kennesaw, USA
• Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao , Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
(CRIDA)
• Dr Arunachalam - Principal Scientist -NRM -ICAR
• Dr. Robert Jordan, -U.K
13.30 - 14.15 Lunch
Parallel Sessions
14.15 - 16.30 Technical Sessions - Paper Presentation (3)
14.15 - 16.30 Farmer Interaction
14.15 - 16.30 Round Table Meet-"Legal Framework for Climate Justice"`.
16.30 - 17.00 Tea break
17.00 - 19.00 Plenary Session II
• Climate Smart Agriculture"
• Abena Ojetayo -Florida A.& M University
• Dr Kinkini Dasgupta Misra, Vigyan Prasar
• Dr. Jagdish Dagar- Former, ADG (ICAR), Emeritus Scientist, Central Soil Salinity
Research Institute, Karnal
• Dr K.Muthuchelian-MADURAI.V.C Agriculture University
• Dr. Dipayan Dey- Chair, South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE), West Bengal.
• Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh-Prof. Life Science Department, Mumbai
19.00 - 21.30 Dinner with Cultural Programme
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
viii
Date:- 09-11-2014
Parallel Sessions
9.30 - 10.30 Technical Session - "Paper presentation"
9.30 - 10.30 Farmers presentation and views-
1 Kutcch Farmers -Farmers from Arid area
2 Chhota Udaipur -------Shroff Foundation Trust-Tribal Farmers
3 RUHA-Maharashtra farmers
4 Kolkata-West Bengal Farmers
5 Bihar Farmers
6 North-East Farmers
9.30 - 10.30 "Women Expert Meet"
10.30 - 11.00 Tea break
11.00 - 13.00 Plenary Session III presentation of recommendations made in
• Plenary Session-I
• Plenary Session-II
• Plenary Session-III
• Experts Meet-
• Round Table Meet-
• Farmers Views-
• Recommendations of technical session-1
• Recommendations of technical session-2
• Recommendations of technical session-3
• Recommendations of technical session-4
13.00-Onward Concluding session - Valediction
Lunch
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
ix
FOREWORD
Justice B. P. Singh
Formerly Judge of Supreme Court of India / President of NCCSD
I wish to start by congratulating Dr. Karsanbhai K Patel, President of Nirma University and Dr. Purvi Pokhariya,
Director, Institute of Law, Nirma University taking the initiative to jointly organize the International Conference
with NCCSD.
Global climate change is of major concern among the developed as well as developing countries. The impact
of climate change on our ecosystems, water, land- soil, agriculture, forestry etc., have already become issues
of concern both nationally and internationally but more so at local level where its impacts are felt. There has
been a noticeable increase in extreme weather events during last decade particularly rise in temperature
aberration in rainfall leading to frequent floods and drought events and cyclones.
Although global warming an international phenomena - its adverse impact is at local - village level. The
rural livelihood is increasingly getting affected in that the most vulnerable is the agricultural activity where
productivity of farms, livestock and fisheries is affected. The direct effect is on economic condition of small
holders. The agriculture has become a risky profession. The agriculturist is becoming poorer day by day. As
per survey of NSSO, 60% farmers do not like farming.
We are all aware that our Constitution has specific framework for social responsibility with focus on poor
families under its Directive Principles. The government - both Central and States have come out with range
of schemes, programmes for poor families of urban and rural areas. Some of very important programmes which
are made statutory responsibility are Employment Guarantee Scheme and Food Security.
But in arena of climate change, farmer is increasingly becoming insecure. There is crop insurance and cattle
insurance scheme but payment take years when famers needs liquidity to buy new inputs as soon as his crop
and cattle is lost. There are increases in price of agricultural commodities, but farmer can not avail of this
as Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act compels him to sell his product to local APMC only
where price gets cartelized. Hence, when market price of onion is Rs. 80/- per k.g. farmer get only Rs. 10
or 15 per k.g. Similar glaring example is under Town Planning Act - new township get added in rural areas
to convert villages to become town but animal holders "Community Grazing Land - Gauchar" vanishes for other
public purpose ! cattle start moving in the street !
The objective of this conference is therefore to voice such iniquities in an overall positive atmosphere where
all stakeholders, the Government, the Public Leadership, Civil Society, Judicial System, Public Administration
even Corporate Houses are geared towards social responsibility and determined to remove poverty and inequity
from our country.
I am sure deliberation in the conference will come out with some very useful policy framework and
suggestions of cutting obstacles red- tappism after understanding ground truth from farmers themselves.
Justice B. P. Singh
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
x
I take this opportunity to thank the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India Justice H Dattu, Hon'ble
Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court Justice V M Sahai who agreed to grace and H. E. the Governor of Gujarat
Shri Om Prakash Kohli for their keen interest in this initiative and agreeing to grace the conference.
I am also thankful Hon’ble Minister of Government of Gujarat Sarvshri Bhupendrasinhji Chudasama and
Babubhai Bokhiria for their patronage to the conference. We are delighted to have this cooperative efforts
with Nirma University led by its President Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel.
Thanks also due to the experts for the initiative to strengthen this process reflected in the diversity of
subjects and expertise in conjunction with the growing recognition of the issues associated with the phenomenon
of climate change with respect to agriculture.
I also thank to the Chairman & Managing Director of NABARD to support this Compendium
New Delhi, (Justice B. P. Singh)
Dt. : 31-10-2014
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xi
From Chairman’s Desk
Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel
President
This is a welcome initiative by National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public
Leadership (NCCSD) and Institute of Law, Nirma University to hold an International Conference on such a topic
that seems relevant to our society today than ever before. As a global society, with the kind of sharp scientific
and technological advancement we come across each day bringing human comfort, we have also started
experiencing the climate change and its hazardous impact over human life. This conference is a very timely
and apt initiative to bring forth a collective research - based knowledge to deal with the ill-impact of climate
change, specially its effect over the farmers. As it is also observed in our traditional knowledge that education
must render good to the weak and affected, I wish that this international conference will be a success in dealing
with the issues of climate change and generating a knowledge- based set of principles of climate justice.
I wish the conference a great success.
(Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel)
Nirma University of Science and Technology
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xii
Preface
Climate is an integral part of ecosystems and organisms have adapted to their regional climate over time.
Climate change is a factor that has the potential to alter ecosystems and the many resources and services
they provide to each other and to society. Human societies depend on ecosystems for the natural, cultural,
spiritual, recreational and aesthetic resources they provide.
In various regions across the world, some high-altitude and high-latitude ecosystems have already been
affected by changes in climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reviewed relevant published
studies of biological systems and concluded that 20 percent to 30 percent of species assessed may be at risk
of extinction from climate change impacts within this century if global mean temperatures exceed 2-3 °C (3.6-
5.4 °F) relative to pre-industrial levels.
A climate justice approach amplifies the voices of those people who have done least to cause climate
change, but who are affected most severely by it. It includes the poorest and most marginalized people world-
wide who already suffer most from poverty, hunger, ill-health and injustice. Thus climate justice needs to
incorporate a strong gender perspective. Gender inequities alone can motivate more women to lead in taking
action, but women's leadership must address the entire range of climate issues as well as bringing a gender
perspective to each of them.
It was in this context; we thought it is important to interact on this issue by organizing an International
Conference on "Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a Focus on
Farmers". We considered that climate justice and community education has key role to play and create a win
- win situation. It is in this background we are organizing this conference in collaboration with Institute of
Law, Nirma University.
We have received overwhelming response from all over India and World. There are more than 400
participants in this conference. We will benefit from the thought provoking ideas of very eminent key speakers
who are from India and abroad and have spared their valuable time to be with us and agrees to join and
participate in this effort to come out with some concrete solution. We have more than 120 research papers
on various aspects. We therefore thought it is important to bring out publication at the time of conference
so that participants can have access to the key speaker's papers along with abstracts of research papers.
We must mention that views expressed in this abstract of papers and their authenticity are of authors'
and not that of publishers.
We would like to thank all the knowledge partners and supporters for making the entire event a grand
success.
We would also like to give special thanks to Ms. Ms. Hetal Seju, Ms. Nisha Shah, Prof. Ravi Saxena, Mr.
Piyush Chauhan and the Director & Dean of Institute of Law, Nirma University Dr. Purvi Pokhariyal who has
taken up this difficult task to bring out the publication within the time limit.
Dt. : 31-10-2014 (Dr. Kirit N. Shelat)
Executive Chairman, NCCSD
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xiii
MESSAGES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xiv
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xv
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xvi
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xvii
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xviii
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xix
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xx
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxi
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxii
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxiii
Message
I am happy that the National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and public Leadership
is organizing an International Conference on Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives in partnership with the
Institute of Law, NIRMA University. I am particularly happy that the focus will be on farm families, since 2014
has been designated by the UN as the International Year of Family Farming. Climate change is a mega threat which
will affect every segment of human economic activity. Therefore I hope the conference will provide a roadmap
for enhancing the coping capacity of local communities under conditions of unfavorable changes in temperature,
precipitation and sea level. I wish the conference great success.
The world is passing through unpredictable changes weather it is cyclone or heavy rain or drought or
extraordinary snowfall. All these have already affected livelihood means of farmers who are at receiving end. There
is main threat to food security and food for hungry millions. Strategies are needed how can overcome this challenge
through strategic changes in developmental framework, policies and modern advanced technology with backup
a legal framework which provides redressal if existing programme and rule framework either fail or do not reach
out to them within time limit prescribed.
On this occasion, I extend my greetings and felicitations to the organizers and participants and wish the
Conference every success.
(Prof. M. S. Swaminathan)
Prof. M. S. Swaminathan
Founder, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxiv
Message
Let me greet all participants and sponsors of the International Conference on Strengthening Climate Justice
Initiatives at local level for sustainable livelihood with a focus on farmers, organized by the Nirma Institute of
Law, Nirma University, Ahmadabad on 8th and 9th November 2014.
Climate change is exerting tremendous pressure upon agriculture to produce more food by as much as 70%
by 2050. Warming temperatures, drought, floods, increasing land degradation and desertification, loss of biodiversity,
rising food prices, zooming energy demand and population explosion: their confluence, if unabated, will lead to
a "Perfect Storm"!
Climate change can create cereal yield reductions of up to 50% in many African countries, and up to 30%
in Central and South Asia by 2080s. The impact of climate change will be most disastrous in the semi-arid tropics,
home to 2 billion people and most of the world's poor. Models indicate that there will be a 10% increase of dryland
areas of the world with climate change.
The challenge to achieve food security for 9 billion people naturally shifts the development focus on
agriculture. Today, eighty per cent of global agriculture is in the drylands which remain to be the hot spots of
poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. At the same time, the drylands are vulnerable to drought, land
degradation and the adverse impacts of climate change. Some 644 million of the poorest of the world's poor
barely thrive in the drylands and are struggling to survive and improve their livelihoods in marginal environments.
Still, dryland agriculture has vast untapped potential.
ICRISAT's mandate legume crops - chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut - are rich in protein and crucial for
ending global malnutrition. They are consumed by 1.2 billion people and nearly 100 million smallholder farmers
are cultivating these legumes in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia.
ICRISAT's work on dryland cereals - sorghum and millets - provides food security to the poorest people on
earth. Grown by more than 33 million smallholder households in the drylands, they are vital to the sustainability
of mixed crop-livestock farming, and provide genetic resources for adaptation to harsh, marginal environments.
In the face of the growing global hunger and poverty and the effects of climate change, ICRISAT's work on dryland
cereals will help ensure nutritious, drought-resilient crops for the dryland poor.
William D Dar
Director General, ICRISAT
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxv
Current farmers' yields are lower by two to five times those of achievable potential yield. Using the latest
science and technology tools and management practices to enhance water and land use efficiency, this gap can
and must be closed to benefit in particular the smallholder farmers of the drylands using the synergies created
by partnerships and collaboration among many stakeholders.
ICRISAT's strategic framework of Inclusive Market-Oriented Development (IMOD) envisions a path to end
poverty, not just alleviate it. This concept relies on unleashing the energies of the poor by enabling them with
diverse, purposeful, innovative and action-oriented partnerships, more productive and resilient technologies, and
supportive policies.
ICRISAT is the only global agricultural institute dedicated to serving the smallholder farmers and the poor in
Asia and Africa. It is part of the CGIAR system of 15 international agricultural research institutes. It is committed
to make agriculture climate resilient particularly in the semi-arid tropics.
Considering this, we have a keen interest in how climate change is studied and understood including as an
ethical issue that impacts people and communities. This conference is therefore timely and relevant in considering
how the causes and effects of climate change relate to concepts of justice. After all, those most adversely affected
by climate change - the poorest of the poor who live mostly in the drylands of developing countries - contribute
least to the causes of climate change. Justice dictates that those who have least in life must have more in law.
We wish this conference much success and look forward to learning from the wisdom and insights shared
in order to contribute more towards the upliftment of the conditions of the smallholder farmers particularly in
the drylands of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxvi
September 24, 2014
The concept of climate justice is extremely pertinent to the drylands of the world. This is because drylands
are home to the poorest people in the world and because they are expected to be hardest hit by climate change
as temperatures rise and more heat waves and less but more intense rainfall are experienced. According to the
IPCC, communities who live in the drylands will experience more frequent droughts and an increased risk of severe
flooding which will undermine development agendas, especially agendas that seek to reduce poverty, increase
food production and advance food and water security.
The capacity of the people in the drylands to cope with climate change will depend, primarily, on their social
and economic status such as wealth, social status, gender, race, ethnicity and age. It will also depend on their
capacity to actively engage in decisions about the challenges and opportunities they face in adapting and becoming
more resilient to climate change as well as their capacity to access and use natural resources, credit, insurance,
markets, information, science and innovation.
The Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), which has been working in the dry areas for
more than 35 years-- recognizes the differential impact of climate change on dryland farming by focusing its
research- for- development agenda on;
1. Small-holder farmers, who are most at risk to climate change effects and on
2. Sustainable approaches which by definition includes social equity as an essential component.
ICARDA works to identify and develop resilient, diversified and more productive combinations of crop, livestock
and rangelands systems that reduce hunger and mal-nutrition and improve the quality of life among the rural
poor with a keen eye and nuanced understanding of the needs of the marginalized groups and individuals that
constitute the poor. For example, women in the drylands are active producers, traders, processors, laborers and
entrepreneurs. ICARDA works with women farmers, women associations and women cooperatives all over the
dry areas to provide them with new seed varieties and new crop and livestock management options, value added
products and access to markets to empower women and support them to become more effective actors in adapting
to climate change.
ICARDA wishes the National Council for Climate Change Sustainable Development and Public Leadership
(NCCSD) a successful International Conference on "Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives at local level for
sustainable livelihood with a focus on farmers" in collaboration with Nirma Institute of Law, Nirma University,
Ahmedabad on 8th and 9th November, 2014 at Nirma University, Ahmadabad. We look forward to receiving the
important results of this conference which will no doubt inform the international community about the need to
consider climate change in the context of human rights and social justice to help safeguard the rights of the most
vulnerable by sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change.
(Dr. Mahmoud Solh)
Dr. Mahmoud Solh,
Director General
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
(ICARDA)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxvii
THE ORGANIZERS
An International Conference on "Global Warming, Agriculture, Sustainable Development & Public Leadership"
was organized at the Gujarat Vidyapeeth - Ahmedabad in March 2010 by the International School for Public
Leadership along with other organizations. This was in response to a felt need to strengthen agriculture's niche
as an integrated intervention to tackle mitigation and adaptation challenges while complementing other sustain-
able development initiatives. The Conference had the benefit of significant insights from about 400 participants
including some eminent public leaders, agricultural scientists, teachers, students, farmers, NGOs, Industry,
Government officials and representation from national and international organizations. The outcome of this
conference is known as the "Ahmedabad Declaration 2010". The Ahmedabad Declaration articulated an action
plan to promote sustainable livelihood and simultaneously mitigate impacts of global warming through appropriate
use of agriculture; involving public leadership in that task.
This was followed by a meeting of a "Think Tank" on these aspects in New Delhi in April 2010. Representatives
from international organizations, Officers from Govt. of India, distinguished scientists and representatives of the
civil society organizations further deliberated on these and related issues. During this meet, it was decided to
constitute a voluntary organization to facilitate action and implement activities that are strategically important
to enable sustainable development in addition to mainstreaming agriculture as a mitigation option. The Interna-
tional School for Public Leadership (ISPL) Ahmedabad, Puri Foundation for Education in India, Gandhinagar, Shroff
Family Voluntary Organization Consortium (SFVOC), Mumbai and The Environmental & Consumer Protection
Foundation (ECPFO), New Delhi, jointly agreed to promote the new organization. Accordingly, Justice B.P. Singh,
President of Environmental & Consumer Protection Foundation (ECPFO), New Delhi, announced the setting up
of the "National Council for Climate Change, Sustainable Development and Public Leadership" (NCCSD)".
E-mail :- info@nccsdindia.org
Website :- www.nccsdindia.org
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC
LEADERSHIP (NCCSD)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxviii
NIRMA UNIVERSITY
Nirma University has been established in the year 2003 as a statutory university under Gujarat State Act at
the initiative of the Nirma Education & Research Foundation (NERF). The University is also recognized by the
University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) of UGC Act. Nirma University has been accredited by NAAC
in March 2010. Nirma University is a member of Commonwealth University Association and also of Association
of Indian Universities (AIU). Dr. Karsanbhai K. Patel (Padmashree), Chairman, Nirma Group of Companies and
Chairman, NERF is the President of Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
INSTITUTE OF LAW
Institute of Law (www.nirmauni.ac.in/law) was established with a vision to promote excellence and set up
high standards in the field of Legal education. The Institute emphasizes on the all-round development of its students
and it aims at not only producing good professionals, but also good and worthy citizens of a great country aiding
in its overall progress and development.
It endeavours to treat every student and individual, to recognize their potential and to ensure that they receive
the best preparation and training for achieving their career ambition. It offers three different five-year integrated
undergraduate law programmes, L.L.M. programme with specialization in Business Law, Legal Pedagogy and
Science, Technology and Law, and Doctrinal Research (Ph.D.) programmes.
To make the Institute a centre of excellence on the legal education map of India, it aims at providing world
class facilities to impart training and conduct research in the field of Law. Currently the Institute has seven centres
in the field of Law and Governance, Humanitarian Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law,
Corporate Research, Criminal Law and Justice and Intellectual Property Rights.
Website :- www.nirmauni.ac.in/law
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxix
THE KNOWLEDGE PARTNERS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxx
National Bank for Agriculture &
Rural Development (NABARD)
Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR)
Junagadh Agericulture University
(JAU)
Navsari Agriculture University
(NAU)
National Environmental Science
Academy (NESA)
Planning Commission of India
YES Bank
Anand Agriculture University (AAU)
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada
Agricultural University (SDAU)
Vivekanand Research & Training
Institute (VRTI)
Agriculture Technology
Management Agency (ATMA)Kamdhenu University
Planning CommissionGovernment of India
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxi
National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD):
NABARD is set up as an apex Development Bank with a mandate for facilitating credit flow for promotion
and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural
crafts. It also has the mandate to support all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated
and sustainable rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas. In discharging its role as a facilitator for
rural prosperity NABARD is entrusted with 1. Providing refinance to lending institutions in rural areas 2. Bringing
about or promoting institutional development and 3. Evaluating, monitoring and inspecting the client banks besides
this pivotal role, NABARD also:
• Acts as a coordinator in the operations of rural credit institutions
• Extends assistance to the government, the Reserve Bank of India and other organizations in matters relating
to rural development
• Offers training and research facilities for banks, cooperatives and organizations working in the field of rural
development
• Helps the state governments in reaching their targets of providing assistance to eligible institutions in
agriculture and rural development
• Acts as regulator for cooperative banks and RRBs
• Extends assistance to the government, the Reserve Bank of India and other organizations in matters relating
to rural development
• Offers training and research facilities for banks, cooperatives and organizations working in the field of rural
development
• Helps the state governments in reaching their targets of providing assistance to eligible institutions in
agriculture and rural development
• Acts as regulator for cooperative banks and RRBs
Some of the milestones in NABARD's activities are:
• Total production credit disbursed at end March 2011 was 34196 crore.
• Refinance disbursement under Investment Credit to commercial banks, state cooperative banks, state
cooperative agriculture and rural development banks, RRBs and other eligible financial institutions during
2010-11 aggregated 13485.87 crore.
• Through the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) 12060.04 crores were disbursed during 2010-
11. A cumulative amount of 121488.40 crore has been sanctioned for 444162 projects as on 31 March
2011 covering irrigation, rural roads and bridges, health and education, soil conservation, drinking water
schemes, flood protection, forest management etc.
• Under Watershed Development Fund which has a balance of 1847.69 crore as on 31 March 2011, 579
projects in districts of 14 states have benefited.
• Farmers now enjoy hassle free access to credit and security through 1009.30 lakh Kisan Credit Cards that
have been issued through a vast rural banking network. During 2010-11, 72.6 lakh KCC were issued by banks
with a sanctioned limit of 43370 crore.
• Under the Farmers' Club Programme, during the year 21903 clubs were launched, taking the total to 76708
clubs as on 31 March 2011 helping farmers get access to credit, technology and extension services.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxii
• Village Development Programme (VDP) is being implemented in 801 villages across 25 states.
• Under Tribal Development Fund, cumulative sanction amounted to 917.60 crore for 317 projects covering
2.5 lakh families. During 2010-11 financial assistance of 373.97 crore was sanctioned for 126 projects
benefiting 94,163 tribal families.
• Under Farm Innovation and Promotion Fund (FIPF), cumulatively 123 projects in various states, involving
financial support of 11.65 crore were sanctioned as on 31 March 2011.
• Farmers Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF) - 512 innovative projects in 27 states with grant assistance of 44.97
crore were sanctioned during 2010-11.
• There were more than 69.53 lakh savings linked SHGs and more than 48.51 lakh credit linked SHGs covering
9.7 crore poor households as on 31 March 2011, under the microfinance programme.
Planning Commission of India:
The Planning Commission was set up by a Resolution of the Government of India in March 1950 in pursuance
of declared objectives of the Government to promote a rapid rise in the standard of living of the people by efficient
exploitation of the resources of the country. It plays an integrative role in the development of a holistic approach
to the policy formulation in critical areas of human and economic development. The key to efficient utilization
of resources lies in the creation of appropriate self-managed organizations at all levels. Planning Commission
attempts to play a systems change role and provide consultancy within the Government for developing better
systems.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR):
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India is an autonomous organisation under
the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, government of India. Formerly
known as the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research, it was established in 1929 as a registered society under
the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture. ICAR has
its headquarters at New Delhi.
The Council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture
including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the country. It has 99 ICAR institutes and 53 agricultural
universities spread across the country.
The ICAR has played a role in enabling the country to increase the production of foodgrains by four,
horticultural crops by six, fish by nine (marine five and inland 17, milk six times and eggs 27 times since 1950.
YES Bank:
YES BANK, India's fourth largest private sector Bank, is the outcome of the professional & entrepreneurial
commitment, vision & strategy of its Founder Rana Kapoor and his top management team, to establish a high
quality, customer centric, service driven, private Indian Bank catering to the Future Businesses of India.
YES BANK has adopted international best practices, the highest standards of service quality and operational
excellence, and offers comprehensive banking and financial solutions to all its valued customers. YES BANK has
a knowledge driven approach to banking, and a superior customer experience for its retail, corporate and emerging
corporate banking clients. YES BANK is steadily evolving its organizational character as the Professionals' Bank of
India with the uncompromising Vision of "Building the Best Quality Bank of the World in India by 2020.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxiii
Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU):
The agricultural education in Saurashtra region of Gujarat State started way back in 1960 with the establish-
ment of College of Agriculture in a palatial building at Sardarbaug, Junagadh. The college was affiliated to Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad from its outset till the year 1967.
Subsequently, on inception of Saurashtra University in 1968 at Rajkot, the affiliation was transferred to it.
With the establishment of Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU) as an autonomous body in 1972, it was transferred
to the Gujarat Agricultural University with all the activities so far carried out by the Department of Agriculture.
It thus, became a constituent college of the Gujarat Agricultural University. Under the faculty of Agricultural
Engineering & Technology, the College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology came into existence in 1984
at Junagadh Campus of Gujarat Agricultural University. Similarly, the College of Fisheries Science started in 1991-
92 at Veraval. Junagadh Agricultural University was carved out of GAU with its splitting in to four universities on
May 01, 2004. Consequently, these colleges became the constituent colleges of Junagadh Agricultural University.
ICAR has accredited the University and its three constituent collegesviz., Agriculture, Agril. Engg.& Tech. and
Fisheries Science for five years from 25th June, 2009.
The jurisdiction of this University is seven districts viz., Junagadh, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Amreli,
Bhavnagar and Surendranagar of Saurashtra region comprising nearly 32.82 per cent (6.43 million ha) area of the
Gujarat State (19.60 million ha).
Anand Agricultural University (AAU):
Anand Agricultural University, Anand is one of the premier institutions with the mission provide teaching,
research and extension services related to agriculture and allied sciences to develop excellent human resources
and innovative technologies for services to the farming community with the main motto of making Gujarat and
India agriculturally prosperous. The University is offering six UG degree programmes and post graduate programmes
in various disciplines of agricultural sciences besides MBA in International Agri-Business Management and five
certificate courses in polytechnics. Students have also brought laurels to the university by bagging several individual
and team awards at State and National levels in various sports, cultural and literary competitions. Recently the
university has been accredited by ICAR's Peer Review Team for five years.
Navsari Agricultural University (NAU):
Commencing with a college of agriculture established in 1965, the Navsari campus gained the status of a
separate agricultural university with effect from May 1, 2004. The university caters to the needs of the farmers
of the plantation crops in the heartland of Gujarat; the Kanam zone of cotton, sorghum and pigeon pea and hill
millets of tribal belt. Besides the above, this area is also well known for its forest tree species like teak, Khair,
Kalam and bamboo. To provide technological backup for the agricultural development in its domain (Map of
Districts Covered) the Navsari Agricultural University has four fully developed faculties of agriculture, horticulture,
forestry and Veterinary, 2 Zonal Research Stations (Navsari and Bharuch), three main crop based research station
(cotton, sorghum and mango), 3 regional research station (Waghai, Vyara and Gandevi) and 6 verification/testing
centers.
The extension component includes three Krushi Vigyan Kendras (Waghai, Vyara and Navsari), one Sardar Smruti
Kendra (Navsari), and a T & V scheme. This university also offers vocational courses in horticulture at Navsari,
home science at Vyara, agriculture at Waghai and Bharuch as well as Livestock Management, Bakery and Mali
and extension education trainings at Navsari.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxiv
Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU):
Government of Gujarat repealed Gujarat Agricultural University act 1969(Gujarat Act.No.13 of 1969)and
promulgated Gujarat Agricultural Universities Act, 2004 (Guj.Act No.5 of 2004). Accordingly four Agricultural
Universities have been carved out from erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University with effect from 1st May 2004
SDAU. The Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University is devoted for location specific agricultural
research. As such the mandate of the SDAU , Sardarkrushinagar is confined to six districts viz., Gandhinagar,
Mehsana, Patan, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha and Kutch of North Gujarat predominantly encompassing arid and semi
arid climate.
National Environmental Science Academy (NESA):
National Environmental Science Academy was established in 1984 and was registered in the year 1988 under
the Societies Act XXI of 1960 with its Registered Office at P P Compound, Ranchi; shifted to Behind A.N. College,
Shiv Puri, Patna 800 023 and presently has its Head Office at 206, Raj Tower 1, Alakananda Community Centre,
New Delhi - 110019. Padma Bhushan Dr. Syed Zahoor Qasim is the President of Academy and Prof. A. Arunachalam
is the General Secretary.
Vivekananda Research and Training Institute:
Vivekanand Research and Training Institute (VRTI), was established by founder members of Excel with a belief
that - India's strength lay in the rural development and not in urbanizing the rural India. So began the journey
to secure land and water resources for farming and bringing more and more farmers closer to the scientific
approach while planning their crops and managing natural resources or other challenges. VRTI has supported
farmers (the warp and weft of) of India. Besides farming, the NGO has introduced sanitation, medical facilities,
offers training and advises villagers on matters related to management on ascertaining of soil conditions and its
impact on the harvest. Farmers are advised about the microfinance and commodity trading to keep their
knowledge up beat.
Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA):
Prosperity of Farmers is the Goal of ATMA project. ATMA is a District level working self organization (registered
society). District level officer can do the project work action at district level under the guidance of Director of
the Project.Through modern farming methods get more production at lower cost and become financially rich.
ATMA give enough Priorities to Women in ATMA Activities. Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Allied Activities
to Associate.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxv
THE SUPPORTERS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxvi
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
GUJARAT STATE SEEDS CORPORATION LTD.
UNITED PHOSPHOROUS LIMITED
EXCEL CROP CARE LIMITED
EXCEL INDUSTRIES LIMITED
MICRO INKS LIMITED
BHARUCH ENVIRO INFRASTRUCTURE LTD
VAPI WASTE & EFFLUENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED
GREEN ENVIRONMENT SERVICE CO. OP. SOCIETY LIMITED
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxvii
Reliance Industries Limited
Shri Parimal Nathwani
The Reliance Group, founded by Dhirubhai H. Ambani (1932-2002), is India's largest private sector enterprise,
with businesses in the energy and materials value chain. Group's annual revenues are in excess of US$ 58 billion.
The flagship company, Reliance Industries Limited, is a Fortune Global 500 company and is the largest private sector
company in India.
Backward vertical integration has been the cornerstone of the evolution and growth of Reliance. Starting with
textiles in the late seventies, Reliance pursued a strategy of backward vertical integration - in polyester, fibre
intermediates, plastics, petrochemicals, petroleum refining and oil and gas exploration and production - to be fully
integrated along the materials and energy value chain.
The Group's activities span exploration and production of oil and gas, petroleum refining and marketing,
petrochemicals (polyester, fibre intermediates, plastics and chemicals), textiles, retail, infotel and special economic
zones.
Reliance enjoys global leadership in its businesses, being the largest polyester yarn and fibre producer in the
world and among the top five to ten producers in the world in major petrochemical products.
Major Group Companies are Reliance Industries Limited, including its subsidiaries and Reliance Industrial
Infrastructure Limited.
Gujarat State Seeds Corporation Limited
Gujarat Sate Seeds Corporation Ltd., established in April 1975 popularly known by its brand name "GURABINI"
is serving in the larger interest of farmers from more than three decades with farmer's faith brand loyalty, quality
assurance, dedicated service and sustainable contribution for upliftment of farmers with Glorious achievements.
GURABINI is primarily engaged in production, processing and marketing of seeds of more than 30 crops and 100
varieties and hybrids in almost all categories i.e. Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Fibre Crops, Fodder, Green Manuring
Crops. GURABINI is having its Head office at Gandhinagar, and 13 Branches across the Gujarat and one Sales Depot.
The Chairman of Gurabini is Dr. Rajkumar, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) to Government of Gujarat and
Shri Bharat Modi, Managing Director is also a senior technical officer from Government of Gujarat.
The authorized share capital of Corporation as on is Rs.4 Crores divided into equally shares of Rs.100 each.
As against that, the paid up share capital is Rs.3.93 Crores. The shares have been held by following categories
of share holders:
Government of Gujarat : 95.00 % shares
Government of India : 5 % shares
The present strength of the Board of Directors is 8. The directors are appointed / nominated under the
provision contained in Article- 62 of the Article of Association of the Company.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxviii
United Phosphorus Limited: Local Roots. Global Pursuits
Shri Rajjubhai Shroff
Incorporated in 1969, United Phosphorus Limited (UPL)is a leading global producer of crop protection
chemicals, intermediates, speciality chemicals and other industrial chemicals. UPL has made its presence felt across
value-added agricultural inputs ranging from seeds to crop protection and post-harvest activities.
With a turnover of nearly Rs. 7,000 crore, the business growth of the Company is supported by strategically
located subsidiaries and spreads across all continents. UPL has a customer base in 86 countries, making it a global
player of crop protection products in the world. With a focus on spreading its wings across the world, UPL continues
to infuse technologies into the global companies which it acquires, while not losing sight on responsive care to
environmental protection. Corporate Governance, Good Manufacturing Practices and an established Worldwide
Marketing Network have been the key factors to the healthy and sustainable growth of UPL.
With its own subsidiary offices in Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia,
France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, South Africa, USA, UK,
Vietnam and Zambia, UPL is perceived as a socially responsible organisation and highly successful enterprise. This
positive perception has placed the Company amongst the best corporate conglomerates in the world.
Excel Crop Care Limited
Shri Dipeshbhai Shroff
Established in 2002, Excel Crop Care Limited has risen out of the demerged portfolio of the agricultural
products segment of Excel Industries Limited. Today it has realized its pride of being the 'supplier of choice' by
reaching out to millions of farmers in more than 50 countries.
Besides solutions in soil health, seed treatment, crop protection, pest management, Excel Crop Care also offers
effective post-harvest treatment that has ensured smooth supply and trade in agricultural commodities in many
countries. We extend solutions developed through backward integration of technology. Our products and solutions
are directed to secure returns for farmers on farm inputs while adhering to the company's policies that aim for
environmental safety and sustainability.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xxxix
Excel Industries Limited
Shri Ashwinbhai Shroff
Excel Industries Limited has come a long way since its origin in a kitchen laboratory in 1941.
Over the years, Excel came to be known as an industry leader in the area of agro-chemicals and agro-chemical
intermediates. Using its expertise in Chemistry and Chemical technology, Excel also expanded its chemicals
manufacturing range to include Water treatment chemicals and Polymer Additives and few other specialty
chemicals.
Excel's commitment to sustainable development led us to venture into the field of Environment and Bio-
technology. Excel is a Pioneer and Technology leader in rapid conversion of Municipal Solid Waste to organic
compost. Our organic plant protection and soil/crop productivity enhancers are well accepted in the market.
In order to ensure focused attention to the expanded range of activities, the agro business division was spun
off as a separate company, Excel Crop Care Limited in 2003. Today, Excel is organized into two divisions i.e. a.
Chemicals, b. Environment and Biotech.
Ever since our inception, we have built up a solid history and reputation of developing, manufacturing and
exporting chemicals. We have achieved over 100 product and process breakthroughs that even now are serving
the specific needs of various clients.
We have excellent research facilities in Mumbai and at our manufacturing locations.
During the last six decades, we have received numerous awards in recognition of our dedication and excellence
in the field of chemicals.
From the very beginning, in 1941, when our founder Mr. C. C. Shroff established Excel, we have believed that
in every interaction we have with our clients, our individual as well as our corporate character, integrity and
professionalism is under scrutiny.
We have always kept the virtues of high quality, cost effectiveness, consumer need fulfillment, fair prices and
fair trade practices uppermost in our minds.
MICRO INKS:
The company was founded by the Bilakhia Brothers (www.bilakhiaholdings.com) as a Small Scale Industry in
Vapi, India.
Since its very beginning, Micro Inks has remained strongly committed to the printing industry. This is reflected
in high levels of investments we have made not only to manufacture inks but also the key raw materials like
pigments, resins, varnishes, additives etc. Micro Inks is today amongst the few ink companies in the world having
such high degree of backward integration.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xl
This commitment, got a further boost when we became members of the Germany based Huber group in 2005.
Being perhaps the oldest ink company in the world, Huber group has a reputation for high quality printing inks.
That quality culture, based on deep insights and rigid internal discipline, is now the driving force behind Micro's
quality.
We at Micro Inks have a strong faith in partnerships. As an ink company, we do not just share business with
our customers. We explore possibilities together. Staying in close touch with our customers worldwide, helps us
understand their needs better. No wonder, Micro Inks is considered as a most customer friendly company in the
industry. Service and quality are the two cornerstones of our business philosophy.
Service to us means not just most efficient logistics or a very comprehensive technical support. We try to
train and educate our customers in the best global practices based on experience gained through our global
business network.
Ever since we became part of Huber group, we started the process of technology sharing between the two
companies. And we together pioneered INKREDIBLE technology for the offset inks. This uniquely innovative
technology has proved to be distinctly superior. This is one of the examples of product excellence. Many such
projects are on in our labs and we shall continue to deliver better value to our customers.
Bharuch Enviro Infrastructure Ltd
Bharuch Enviro Infrastructure Ltd (BEIL) is operating a state-of-the-art Hazardous Waste Management Facility
at Ankleshwar, Gujarat, since 1997. BEIL Facility is an unique one and is a pride of Gujarat and the nation.
BEIL is promoted by Industries Associations of Ankleshwar, Panoli and Jhagadia. United Phosphorus Ltd group
is major promoter and Shri Rajjubhai D Shroff is Chairman of the Company.
BEIL TSDF has major two components, a secured landfill and a Common Incineration System. The secured
landfill is in operation from 1997 and so far, over 19,33,454 MT of solid / hazardous wastes from industries in
Bharuch region, has been collected and disposed off. Common Incineration System was commissioned in 2005;
and so far, more than 1,36,681 MT of organic waste has been incinerated. The Facility is subjected to various
monitoring.
BEIL is having a well equipped NABL approved laboratory which helps in proper monitoring and analysis. The
Facility is also having other infrastructure facilities like Storages, Drains, Roads, Leachate Wells, Monitoring Bore
Wells, Weigh Bridge etc. Surrounding the Facility, 15 meters' width green belt is developed and varieties of species
have been planted.
BEIL started operations with 18 acres of land in the GIDC Estate and additional 50 acres land has been acquired,
making the total land available 68 acres for the Facility
Vapi Waste & Effluent management Company Limited
Vapi Waste & Effluent Management Company Limited, a Non Equity- Non Profit entity, based on cooperative
principles with corporate culture of management, was formed with an objective of providing a Comprehensive
Environment Management Program (CEMP) for the estate.
We have installed end of the pipeline treatment facilities like common effluent treatment plant (CETP) and
transport, storage, disposal facility for hazardous solid waste (TSDF) to control pollution levels and now focus is
shifted to pollution abatement by adopting and promoting Cleaner Production, Cleaner Technology for Cleaner
Development Mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xli
Green Environment Service Co. Op. Society Limited
The Vatva Industrial Estate was established by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation in the year 1960
in the south east direction of Ahmedabad City on Ahmedabad - Mehmadabad state highway to accommodate
small and medium scale industrial units.
There are approximately 1800 units in this industrial Estate, out of which approximately 680 generate
wastewater and have potential to cause water pollution. These include units manufacturing Pharmaceutical
Products, Dyes, Dye-Intermediates, Pigments, Fine Chemicals and other organics. They also include Textile Process
Houses, Rolling Mills and other Non Chemical Process Industries.
During the decade of 1990s, many industries started planning compressive treatment. However it was very
difficult and techno-economically not viable to arrange for necessary treatment of wastewater by these units
individually. There was also constraint of space to install Effluent Treatment Plants by these units in their premises.
The most practical and cost effective approach was to establish a Common Effluent Treatment Plant for the
treatment of effluent being generated by these units. In fact it was necessary to establish proper infrastructure
to take care of the environment related aspects being faced by the individual industrial units in the estate. In
order to fulfill these objectives the 'Green Environment Services Co-operative Society Limited' (GESCSL) was formed
with the support of Vatva Industries Association and Gujarat Dyestuff Manufacturers' Association. Initially there
were 620 industrial units of GIDC Estate, Vatva, Ahmedabad as members. The GESCSL is managed by 15 members
including Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasure.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
xlii
KEY SPEAKERS
1 Justice H. L. Dattu, Hon'ble Chief Justice, the Supreme Court of India
2 Justice V M Sahai, Hon'ble Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court
3 Shri Babubhai Bokhiria, Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat
4 Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Hon'ble Minister of Education, Government of Gujarat
5 Shri Parshottam Rupala, Former, Member of Parliament
6 Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR
7 Justice B P Singh, Formerly Judge, the Supreme Court of India & President of NCCSD
8 Dr. J. P. Mishra, Advisor (Agri), Planning Commission of India
9 Dr. M S Swaminathan, Founder, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
10 Shri V.V. Sadamate, former Advisor, Planning Commission of India
11 Dr. Kirit N Shelat, Executive Chairman, NCCSD
12 Dr. Purvi Pokhariyal, Director & Dean, Institute of Law, Nirma University
13 Dr. Gopichandran- Director, Vigyan Prasar, Ministry of Science & Technology, New Delhi
14 Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh-Prof. Life Science Department, Mumbai University
15 Dr. Dipayan Dey- Chair, South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE), West Bengal
16 Dr. A. Arunachalam- Pr.Scientist, NRM Division, ICAR, New Delhi
17 Dr. A. K. Sikka, Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR
18 Dr. Jagdish Dagar- Former ADG (ICAR), Emeritus Scientist, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal
19 Dr. Kinkini Dasgupta Misra, Scientist F and Head, Gender and Technology Communication Division, Vigyan Prasar
20 CDR Ashish Mittal
21 Dr. Anthony Whitbread, Director of our Resilient Dryland Systems Research Program, ICRISAT
22 Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, CRIDA, Hyderabad
23 Shri Hardik Shah-Secretary. GPCB
24 Dr. Robert Jordan, -IFOM
25 Shri Arun Solanki, Principal Secretary, Animal husbandry, Government of Gujarat
26 Dr. Shalin Shah-Adani Group of industries
27 Dr. Raj Kumar - Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Gujarat
28 Dr Ravish C. Maheshwari-Former vice chancellor -SDAU Gujarat
29 Dr. R. A. Sherasiya, Director, ATMA
30 Dr. K. Muthuchelian-MADURI
31 Dr. M. Sankar- Bangalore university
32 Prof. Ravi Saxena, Nirma University
33 Dr. Madhuri Parikh, Nirma University
34 Shri Bharat Modi, Managing Director, Gujarat State Seeds Corporation Limited
35 Dr. I. R. Rathod, Ex-Agril. Scientist, AAU, Anand
36 Dr. R. B. Patel, Ex-DEE, NAU, Navsari
37 Dr. Mayur Vyas, Ex M. D., Sabarkantha district Cooperative milk producers union limited, Boria Himathnagar
38 Dr. D. R. Patel, NCCSD
39 Shri N. M. Patel, NCCSD
40 Ms. Nisha Shah, NCCSD
41 Ms. Hetal Seju, NCCSD
42 Ms. Lizamma Thomas, NCCSD
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
1
KEY PAPERS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
2
Key Papers
1 The Status of Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers - Dr. Kirit N Shelat, Dr. Gopichandran, Ms. Nisha Shah 3
2 Climate Resilient Rainfed Systems – Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao 12
3 The need for Gender sensitive response to the effects of Climate Change – A step towards Climate
Justice through Science and Technology Communication- Kinkini Dasgupta Misra 13
4 Critique of Environment Public Hearing process in India with Special Reference to Rights of the
Farmers - Dr.Madhuri Parikh 15
5 Global Climate Change and Biodiversity - Prof. Dr. K. Muthuchelian 15
6 Environmental Issues: Environment Protection Act, Challenges of Implementation and Livelihood
Security - JC Dagar1 and Shakuntla Devi Dagar2 16
7 Climate Justice though Regeneration of Common Property Resources (CPRs) for Income and
Employment Generation for the : A Case Study- Dr. R. C. Maheswari 17
8 ‘Bio – Rights’ As New Paradigm in Empowering Commons for Environmental Justice -
Dr. R Gopichandran and Dipayan Dey 18
9 Widening Participation for Social Justice: Poverty and Commons Access to Environment -
Dr. Dipayan Dey 19
10 Justice Education as Sustainability Instrument for Reducing Interest Conflicts in Development in
Global South - Ms Amrita Chatterjee and Dr Dipayan Dey 19
11 Impact of Climate Change Technologies in India - Prof. Dr. T. Vidya Kumari 20
12 Institutional Innovation in Climate Smart Agriculture - Tushar Pandey, Parth Joshi, Srijita Dutta 21
13 Climate Justice: Agriculture Perspectives - A.Arunachalam 22
14 Overview of Presentation by Robert Jordan 22
15 Is this justice to the saviours of our Climate? – Shalin Shah 23
16 Helping farmers cope with climate variability and change in the regions of South Asia and
sub-Saharan Africa - Dr Anthony Whitbread 23
17 Analysis of Seasonality Variations and Copping Strategies among Cocoa Growers : A Case of Kyela
and Rungwe Districts - Magreth Bushesha 25
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
3
Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives:
Livelihood Challenges at the Local Level with a Focus on Farmers
Dr. Kirit N Shelat, Dr. Gopichandran, Ms. Nisha Shah
The objective of the present note is to strengthen the call to reduce "climate - burdens" faced by farmers.
We emphasize the fact that all farmers face such burdens with equal intensity and the small farer however is
exposed to greater spread and depth of risks due to inherent multiple vulnerabilities. A recap of some natural
and induced calamities stresses the need to expedite and synthesize preventive and remediation strategies. Justice
has to be delivered in a timely and holistic manner. This is possible due to the continually evolving evidence
centered knowledge backing and thus the need for precautionary approaches. The present note cites such
evidences from within the State of Gujarat and a wide variety of institutional mechanisms that can complement
access to justice; only to re - emphasize the scope for locally adapted action within the purview of public policy
measures.
Contours of justice & the farmer focus: The three well known facets of justice are fairness, moral rightness
and a scheme or system of law that benefits every citizen. They receive due justice, manifest as natural and legal
rights. The efforts of attorneys, judges, and legislature and public administration systems to deliver such justice
are quite commendable. It is however essential to recognize the individual and synergistic impacts of systems
related determinants that retard the pace of delivering justice and hence the inadvertent incongruence between
the time at which justice is delivered and its relevance for further action. Some of the predominant challenges
include complicated procedures, inadequate seats of justice / courts, cases that exert a drag on time even as they
may not merit immediate attention and less - than - optimal use of alternative dispute settlement procedures.
Yet another important dimension is the fact that poor people are not able to meet multiple costs of procedures
or tools that can expedite access. The wealthy secure greater privileges and the poor tend to be neglected. This
is especially true of farmers. Much as they suffer on several fronts, climate change and its impacts impose greater
challenges and enhances vulnerability of the poor farmers in particular.
The specific challenge in this case is to device appropriate mechanisms; inclusive in nature so that the voices
of the poor farmers are also heard in a timely manner. Systems of law and honorable judges may like to note
that climate change related impacts emerge through individual / synergistic stimuli with cross cutting implications.
Amelioration strategies are aligned with the preparedness of farmers to use tools / techniques that deliver locally
relevant and feasible solutions. Alternatives should be part of the baggage of solutions that have to be sustained
with appropriate institutional, fiscal / non - fiscal and capacity building measures. A call for comprehensive
approaches that go beyond piece - meal solutions is therefore essential.
Industry and urban township are mostly implicated in the creating the externality through the release of
pollutants and other emissions. They have to be made responsible for the challenges caused and sustained support
to overcome challenges in the longer term too. These are locally felt challenges of a global phenomenon and
can be seen as externalities that the farmers are not responsible for. The stakeholders responsible for creating
these challenges cannot be determined as there is no direct cause and effect relationship. But it is important to
deliver justice to the affected communities in a timely manner. These should include technical, technological and
financial inputs and safety nets as stated above so that the farmers can tackle climate related challenges
immediately and sustain such transitions in the future too. Farmers have to be oriented to "Climate Smart
Practices" on a priority basis.
A snapshot on causes and impacts of global warming: We are familiar with the fact that our earth is heated
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
4
by sunlight. Most of the sun's energy passes through the atmosphere, to warm the earth's surface, oceans and
atmosphere. However, in order to keep the atmosphere's energy budget in balance, the warmed earth also emits
heat back to space as infra-red radiation. A natural system known as the "greenhouse effect" regulates temperature
on Earth. Just as glass in a greenhouse keeps heat in, our atmosphere traps the sun's heat near earth's surface,
primarily through heat-trapping properties of certain "greenhouse gases".
Over the past thousands of years, the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere has been relatively
stable. A few centuries ago, their concentrations began to increase due to the growing demand for energy caused
by industrialization, rising populations, and due to changing land use and human settlement patterns. The
greenhouse effect refers to the change in the steady state of temperature by the presence of gases that absorbs
and emits infra-red radiation. The greenhouse gases trap heat within the troposphere. The gases are water vapor,
carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons. Nitrogen, oxygen and argon make up 98%
of the Earth's atmosphere. But they do not absorb significant amounts of infra-red radiation and thus do not
contribute to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide (CO2) constitutes about 72% of total GHG and contributes
the bulk of radioactive forcing. The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has increased from
285 ppm at the end of the nineteenth century before the industrial revolution, to about 385 ppm in the new
millennium.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
5
Methane is produced when vegetation is burned, digested or decayed with no oxygen present. Garbage dumps,
rice paddies, and grazing cows and other livestock release methane. Nitrous oxide is released when chemical
fertilizers are used in agriculture. The other gas is SF-6. Importantly the industrialized nations are the largest
emitters of these gases.
Some important natural calamities with comparable effects: Unpredictable climate is a threat to the
sustainable development: This creates havoc around the world, destroying habitats and disturbing people's
livelihood. Some of the recent natural disasters related to this phenomenon in India are narrated below. It must
be noted that our country is not new to droughts, cyclones etc. She is however experiencing much greater
frequency and intensity in recent times. These include:
• Gujarat Earthquake, 2001 in Kutch as one of the most devastating with 19,727 deaths, 1,66,000 injured and
nearly 6 lakh homeless. 3,48,000 houses were destroyed, 20,000 cattle killed and the estimated loss was about
USD 1.3 billion.
• Tsunami December 2004 affected Andaman & Nicobar, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh causing loss
of agri-crops, cattle wealth, housing and livelihood.
• Mumbai Floods of 26th July 2005 paralyzed the city.
• Surat floods (2006) that caused an estimated Rs.22,000 crore loss affected the city's infrastructure, in addition
to individual and agri losses especially of sugarcane (Rs. 4,000 crore)
• Heavy rains in 2007 in Rajasthan with flooding and consequent breakout of diseases, loss of crops and cattle
wealth.
• Koshi river overflow in Bihar; dam in Nepal giving way affecting large areas of Bihar and UP.
• Droughts of 2009 in some states due to delayed monsoon.
• Heavy floods in Northern India and un-seasonal showers and snow in some parts of India
• 2011 -13 floods in Andhra Pradesh; the land slide in Uttarakhand and the delayed monsoon of 2014-15.
Similar impacts have been evident in other parts of the world too. These include tornadoes in USA that inflicted
damage quantified at $9 billion, the 2010 heat wave in Russia that killed hundreds of people and led to a 40%
fall in the harvest of food grains; floods in Australia and Pakistan that killed thousands of people and devastated
agricultural lands; re-current droughts in China, tsunami in Japan, recurrent and continuous famines in Ethiopia
- Somalia and riots for food by hungry millions; recurrent floods in South East Asia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand
etc.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
6
Some of the long standing impacts pertain to loss of livelihood, increased risk of diseases outbreak and
germination of new viruses, damage to infrastructure and communication particularly in rural areas, setback to
social and economic development and emergence of social turmoil with increased rural urban divide, pushing
farmers in rural areas again below the poverty line, poor productivity and food insecurity. Justice in terms of
monetary compensation alone will be incomplete. A comprehensive multi - pronged approach to sustain preventive
and remediation benefits is needed. In this context it is essential to take note of emerging leads regarding impacts
and align management strategies for optimal benefits. Some of these aspects are presented in brief in the following
presentation.
Important leads from research at the Anand Agricultural University
• Sensitivity of CERES-Peanut (Groundnut) model to ambient temperature under optimal condition (cv. JL-24)
Change in Simulated grain yield (kg / ha) % Change from base
mean ambient temperature (°C) (2200 kg / ha) yield
1 2,152 2.1
2 1,888 14.2
3 1,514 31.2
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
7
The area under groundnut crop in Gujarat is 19 lac hectares. An increase in temperature by 3°C, could influence
reduction in groundnut yield by 31.2% i. e. 13.2 lac ton per year.
• Sensitivity of CERES-Wheat model to ambient temperature under optimal condition (cv. GW-496)
Change in mean ambient Simulated grain % Change from base
temperature (°C) yield(kg / ha) (5825 kg / ha) yield
1 4,078 -30
2 3,675 -37
3 3,266 -44
The area under wheat crop in Gujarat is 24 lac ha. An increase in temperature by 3°C, could see a reduction
in wheat yield by about 44% i. e. 12.5 lakh ton per year.
Some projections with respect to India as a whole include change in rainfall pattern by the end of the 21st
century, increase in temperature by 2 to 4 0C, pronounced warming over most of the land areas with a maximum
increase over northern India, relatively greater warming in winter and post-monsoon seasons and greater
frequency of cyclones during post-monsoon seasons.
It is important to note the drought in 2002 reduced 15 million hectares of the rainy-season crops and resulted
in a loss of > 10% in food grain production. Last year (2013) delayed monsoon rains caused a fall in rice cultivation.
Terminal heat stress is lowering yields of late-sown wheat yields and cold waves during December 2002-January
2003 significantly affected mustard, mango, guava, papaya, brinjal, tomato and potato in northern India. The cold
wave in 2006 damaged 50-60 % of young and 20-50 % old mango trees. Other fruit crops as guava, aonla, banana,
papaya, bael, karonda, chironji, khirni, mahua, tamrind, wood apple and jamun were also affected. On the other
hand, high rainfall in 1998 and 2005 ( > 1500 mm) affected kharif and late kharif crop of onion and damaged
the rabi nursery leading to price hike. Cashew yield and quality were affected due to untimely heavy rain in March
2008 along the west coast. Apple cultivation appears to have shifted to higher elevations due to inappropriate
chill and sea surface temperature increase by 2-2.5oC in May 1998 led to bleaching in 85% coral reefs. Nearly
20 lakh birds perished due to heat waves in June 2003.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
8
Continuous higher temperatures during critical growth stages of rabi crops reduces the crop yields consid-
erably. Rising trends in minimum temperature during kharif season have negative impact on rice yields. About
278 districts exhibited a negative impact of rising temperatures and 59 of them showed statistical significance.
Negative impacts are noticed mostly on the eastern parts, Madhya Pradesh and in Indo-Gangetic Plains. As of
September 2014, in Mansa, canals breached and about 10,000 acres of cotton crop were swamped. Heat wave
can reduce a milk yield by 10-30% in first lactation and 5-20% in second and third lactation periods in cattle and
buffaloes. It also affects the growth, puberty and maturity of crossbreed of cows and buffaloes. Fish tend to migrate
to lower strata and suffer mortality in the shallow areas.
Small farmers stare at big losses
• Monsoon delay has pushed 20 of the 75 districts in UP to the brink of drought. Worst-hit are in Meerut, Kanpur
and Varansi, where dry spell has damaged paddy.
• Unusual rain has harmed crops in parts of Bankura, Purulia and East Midnapore in Bengal. Large-scale flooding,
after heavy rains affected 23 districts in Odisha and entire regions of Kashmir. Source: Economic Times, 7
September, 2014
The way forward: The aspects stated above have to be addressed through a climate justice perspective. The larger
questions accordingly pertain to six inter related aspects. They are
• Legal and administrative framework / provisions for farmers can invoke for redressal and thrust responsibilities
for related impacts
• Existing safety--net provisions and mechanisms to deliver them to the affected families
• Expedited delivery of services through government support schemes
• Economic Inequities and system related barriers faced by farmers
• Systems of warning and weather forecasts / agro-advisories and appropriate practices to tackle challenges
that may occur prior to / during and post - harvest periods &
• Accountability of industry, urban / peri urban areas including such infrastructure projects as power generation,
ports, mining etc that generate these externalities.
The centrality of the farmer & The Indian perspective to tackle challenges and present systems: It is possible
to establish synergies across systems that address post - disaster reconstruction / rehabilitation, employment
guarantee, crop insurance and food security.
Some basic elements are embedded in the Disaster-Reconstruction Policy that provides immediate help to
people affected by natural calamities. It includes shifting people as a precautionary measure and provides
assistance to the affected during floods/cyclone. This includes cash doll as payment covering a 15 - day period;
assistance for household kit / replacing lost or dead livestock-lost / Repair or restoration of houses collapsed or
washed away and crop insurance / employment till onset of monsoon in community project during drought and
health services. The Employment Guarantee Scheme (Act) - MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employ-
ment Guarantee Act), related crop and cattle insurance and Minimum Support Price that protects farmers in time
of falling price due to bumper crops or speculation.
The National Food Security Act provided for food security to both urban and rural poor. Approximately 67%
of rural population is entitled to receive subsidized food grain form Public Distribution System. 11 states have
introduced this scheme. Operational issues pertaining to some of these are being sorted out. Grievance redressal
is possible through the Legal Aid Cell that guides and even provides a lawyer without any fees for those who cannot
afford. The Lok Adalats are open courts to settle issues by calling aggrieved parties together.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
9
The district level public administration (as in Gujarat) consists of a District level Committee headed by the
Minister (In charge of District), Secretary (In charge of District) and District Collector. They meet every month
to listen to aggrieved parties. A public hearing process is also operational. Those who are not satisfied with the
decision or want to take up the matter at a higher level can directly file complaints in CM office through online
mechanism .CM takes up video conferences every month to settle /receive such complaints. Following important
challenges persist despite these support systems.
1) A large number (approximately 20%) people are left out of the food security and employment guarantee
schemes. They are consequently left out of development process> this hampers their ability to tackle such
challenge as loss due crop-failure or Cattle death or Washing away of crop and soil.
2) Safety nets dealing with inputs and marketing are riddled with leakages.
3) In the case of crop insurance, delay in payments reduces benefits significantly. Quantification of damage is
a major point of contention. In the case of car insurance, the insurance company assesses the case on an
individual basis. Independent consultants examine the damage and enable access to insurance. In case of crop
insurance, the assessment is too broad based, going beyond the village level too. With recent changes in
climate ,there is a difference in rainfall pattern between two adjacent village. Differences in yields are seen
even across individual farms. In case of individual assessment of farmer where crop fails he / she are entitled
to insurance payment. However, in the current general assessment approach, it is the overall rainfall pattern
or crop yield that determines settlement of claims. India has advanced in a big way in satellite technology.
It is possible to identify farm-wise detail through satellite images and optimal use of other tools of knowledge
economy. Is it not essential for insurance companies to use all available state of art tools to quantify losses
and covers?
4) Every year the government all over the country introduces new town planning scheme under Town Planning
and Urban Development Act. Authorities draw out the town plan, acquire land for public purpose and re-
allocate exiting plots. Several villages get covered under expansion schemes. Every village in our country has
animal holders who could even be landless. The government provides for "Community Grazing Area" for all
cattle. In context of overall increase of temperature it will be essential to also provide heat shelters for these
cattle in designated areas. Recentlt common grazibg areas are not given any importance. It gets authorized
and distributed for other community - related purposes as roads, gardens etc. The end result is that animal
holders pay greater costs. This cost of development is paid by poor animal holders. This is a glaring example
of inequity. A query under Right to information Act with the Ahmadabad Urban Development Authority has
confirmed that no land is reserved (response is "not pertaining to this department"-source Reccnd/RTI/AUDA/
1138/24th Sep .2014 ) for communities or cattle or livestock.
The Urban Development Authority should provide for community grazing lands, community housing for cattle,
recycle water and make available for irrigation, recycle solid waste and convert in to fertilizer and make
available to both farmers and new settlers.
5) A comparative statement on related governance tools is presented in the following table.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
10
1. Crop Average settlement period (1 to 2 Car Insurance and Normally Insurance
Insurance years), while requirement is immediate Medical Insurance company makes
for re-sowing direct payment and
have
Cashless provisions
2. Inputs No action if no germination takes place. Consumable and Immediate exchange/
Seeds non-consumable replacement within
goods stipulated period in
case product fails to
meet standards
depicted
3. Sale of Gets banned for exports if there is internal Industrial There is no such ban
Agriculture (within country) shortage & with price rise, products
produce farmers looses higher value from its sale if
exported
4. Tenancy Law Under certain conditions the workers can Urban developer The Tenant cannot
(If farmers become owner - under Tenancy Act. rents out house become owner
retains /hires Farmer is under constant threat of local
workers) Talati who maintain land records.
5. Sale of Compulsory in local Agriculture Produce Sale of Industrial Industries can sell
Agriculture Market Yard where traders run action Produce products wherever
produce system and form cartels (APMC Act) they want
6. International Small farmer cannot even present relevant This is devised
assistance. details, or fill up a form; let alone only to help
Carbon Credit understanding its complexities polluters. The
difficult format
which can be
filled only by
Consultants
7. Organisations There are NGOs at the national and Farmers have
international level that voice farmer's actually no voice
interest.They could have their own in what is being
agendas and may work at cross purposes represented on
if the objectives and intent are not for their behalf.
common good.
Call for action at the local level: The emphasis of the NCCSD is on initiatives at the local level including Local
public Administration. These pertain to Taluka level members of Public Governance System. This include the Sub
Judicial Magistrate, Taluka Magistrate and Mamlatdar, the Taluka Development Officer and the Police Inspector
in addition to commercial and co-operative banks, the Agriculture Produce Market Committee yard (APMC) ,the
Input dealers related to seeds, fertilizer and agriculture tool and equipments. They have to be sensitized to their
responsibility in this context. They have to be made accountable. A "Limitation" could be imposed on them to
respond on time and take corrective action.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
11
Significant delay occurs in moving papers across departments. The village panchayat's personnel have the
statutory responsibility for development. They should take the initiative to push causes for timely justice. -The
Sarpanch should visit the farms and help claim redressal.
Need for CSA :-
Special efforts are needed to create awareness and enable practice of Climate Smart and Sustainable
Agriculture (CSA) practices. CSA addresses opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, poultry, other livestock and animal
husbandry. The paradigm is to look for alternatives when some fail to provides support. Young members of the
family can acquire multiple skills, set up microenterprises, establish newer safety nets, establish insurance and
enhance employment opportunities.
Climate smart agriculture involves crop patterns based on soil health and moisture analysis. They are guided
by agro - advisories at the door step of farmers. This can be on the basis of immediate, medium and long term
expectations of weather / climate patterns. Production and security systems can be suitably designed to overcome
challenges. Mitigation and adaptation strategies can be twinned for optimal returns.
Sources: The author is inspired by insights from the stated list of references and builds on his practical
knowledge derived while serving the State of Gujarat and the country as a whole.
1. Reccnd/RTI/AUDA/1138/24th Sep. 2014, Reccnd/RTI/ Director Agriculture-Anand/22nd Sep 2014 RTI/ Lead
Bank Cell/19th Sep 2014
2. Climate Smart Agriculture Source Book - FAO 2013
3. Adapted from a comparative analysis of Turral et al., 2011; Comprehensive Assessment, 2007
4. Adapted from Engle, 2011
5. Adapted from FAO, 2009b; Smith et al., 2008; World Bank, 2008
6. Adapted from IPCC, 2007, in FAO, 2008a
7. CSA, FAO 2013
8. Anand Agricultural University, Anand 2011-12
9. Bogdanski et al., 2010; Bogdanski, 2012
10. The Gujarat Government Gazette extraordinary-published by authority 7-7-2009
11. Gujaratstat.com revealing Gujarat………Statistically Information
12. Gujarat State Disaster management Authority--Disaster management policy March 28th 2003.
13. National Food Security Act 2013- National portal of India
14. The National Rural Employment guarantee act,2005-The gazette of India Extraordinary
15. Climate Smart Agri. Source Book , Soils and their Management for CSA
16. Climate Smart Agriculture Source Book - FAO 201
17. Gujarat Horticulture Statistics (2011-12
18. Pages IX - Climate Smart Agriculture Source Book
19. Soils and their management for CSA - Climate Smart Agri. Source Book
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
12
20. 17th Livestock Census (2011-12)
21. Dr. Sumankumar Jha, College of Agro Forestry,Navsari Agriculture University, Navsari, Gujarat, India
22. Andrade C. A 6-week, multicentre, randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and
efficacy of placeboxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of major depressive disorder in an Indian setting.
Indian J Psychiatry. 2011;53:69-72.
23. Andrade C. Placeboxetine for major depressive disorder: Researcher, author, reader, and reviewer perspectives
on randomized controlled trials. Indian J Psychiatry. 2011;53:73-7.
24. Andrade C, Radhakrishnan R. Prayer and healing: A medical and scientific perspective on randomized controlled
trials. Indian J Psychiatry. 2009;51:247-53.
25. 5. Shah N, Mahadeshwar S, Bhakta S, Bhirud M, Fernandes P, Andrade C. The safety and efficacy of
benzodiazepine-modified treatments as a special form of unmodified ECT. J ECT. 2010;26:23-9.
26. Andrade C, Srihari BS, Reddy KP, Chandramma L. Melatonin in medically ill patients with insomnia: a double-
blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001;62:41-5.
27. Andrade C, Madhavan AP, Kishore ML. Testing logical memory using a complex passage: Development and
standardization of a new test. Indian J Psychiatry. 2001;43:252-6.
28. Andrade AC, Pai S, Cardoza S, Andrade C. Personality profile of urban, female college students. Indian J Psychol
Med. 1994;17:41-6.
29. Andrade C, Postma K, Abraham K. Influence of women's work status on the well-being of Indian couples. Int
J Soc Psychiatry. 1999;45:65-75.
30. Kumar CN, Andrade C, Murthy P. A randomized, double-blind comparison of lorazepam and chlordiazepoxide
in patients with uncomplicated alcohol withdrawal. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2009;70:457-74.
Climate Resilient Rainfed Systems
Ch. Srinivasarao
Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Saidabad,
Hyderabad, 500059
Knowledge of potential impacts of climate change on agriculture is recently important aspects in scientific
community. Many studies showed that climate change lead to agricultural vulnerability, which increases the
problems of future food security. Rainfed agriculture covers 58% of net sown area in the country. It is the dominant
contributor of staple food production and also ensures livelihood of majority of farmers in India. Climate variability
may alter soil flora and fauna, the rate of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil moisture,
as well as distribution of pests and diseases. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) reported >25%
decrease in food grain production due to climate change in India by 2030. A resilient agricultural system ensures
better ecosystem services, such as food, feed, and livelihoods. Climate resilient agriculture, encompassing
adaptation and mitigation strategies and the effective use of biodiversity is pre-requisite for sustainable devel-
opment. Significant decline in production is likely to be caused by shortening of growing period, which will have
negative impact on reproduction and grain filling particularly due to terminal heat stress and decreased water
availability.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
13
Some of the components towards climate resilience in rainfed systems include rain water management, new
cultivars, integrated watershed development, conservation agriculture, and contingency crop planning and
integrated farming systems. Management of soil, water and nutrient management strategies are highlighted as
an important strategy in building the resilience of natural resources in rainfed areas. Development of climate-
resilient crop varieties will be critical to agricultural adaptation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to promote
indigenous crop varieties and reverse the loss of agro-biodiversity.
Large parts of India's drylands regularly suffer from water scarcity during summer and mid season droughts,
exacerbated by the dropping water tables. Therefore, conservation of water either through increasing SOM or
through development of watersheds or harvesting rainwater in the farm ponds is crucial to build resilience in
agriculture. Farm ponds conserve the natural resources like soil and nutrients apart from water and acts as flood
control measures by reducing peak flows in the watersheds or given area of catchment. Supplemental irrigation
with harvested rainwater can play an important role in reducing the risk of crop failures. Conservation agriculture
is an important system, it may conserves soil moisture by reduces evaporation and soil erosion, reducing runoff
besides moderating soil temperature.
Success of integrated farming system (IFS) lies in proper enterprise mix and optimum utilization of resources.
Increasing the tree component in IFS i.e. agroforestry, agri-horti, agri-silvipasture will sequester atmospheric carbon
in the plant biomass and in the soil, thereby mitigating climate change. Under NICRA, technology demonstration
components of several IFS modules with a combination of small enterprises such as crop, livestock, poultry, piggery,
fish and duck rearing were demonstrated to farmers. Such systems improve their livelihoods and provide resilience
to extreme weather events.
The need for Gender sensitive response to the effects of Climate
Change - A step towards Climate Justice through Science and Technology
Communication
Kinkini Dasgupta Misra, Scientist F, Vigyan Prasar, DST
Climate change and extreme weather affect men and women both, but its adverse effects are likely to be
more acute for women, especially economically weak and marginalised rural women. Directly or indirectly village
women are largely depends on agriculture and informal sectors for their sovereignty, which are vulnerable to
extreme weather.
In almost all economies women's social roles, access to resources and information, and participation leave
them disadvantaged. The impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are different for women and
men. Women from low-income communities, rural and tribal bear a heavier burden from the impacts of climate
change because they are more reliant upon natural resources for survival or they inhabit areas with poor
infrastructure. At the same time, women are key players to sustainability solutions. It is women who are responsible
for food production and the collection of water and fuel wood, which makes them particularly aware of changing
weather patterns that alter growing seasons, decrease crop yields and lower water levels. This knowledge is
essential for adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Women in developing countries are particularly vulnerable to climate change because they are highly
dependent on local and natural resources for their livelihood. Women charged with securing water, food and fuel
for cooking and heating face the greatest challenges. Women experience unequal access to resources and decision-
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
14
making processes, with limited mobility in rural areas. It is thus important to identify gender-sensitive strategies
that respond to these crises for women.
Climate change is expected to affect many sections of natural and man-made sectors; many of them are of
particular relevance to the work and livelihoods of women. Women living in poverty are the most threatened
by the dangers that stem from climate change. Rural women are not immune to these climate change threats.
In rural communities women are largely dependent on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihoods.
Climate change will mean that the supply of natural resources will be threatened. Agriculture may become less
viable. Women are playing a significant role in the agriculture production and are facing high risks of loss from
droughts, uncertain rainfall, floods and deforestation. These climatic hazards have already led to low production,
food shortages and poor livelihoods. Climate change adds to water insecurity and shortage which in turn makes
much of women's time for fetching water for domestic uses. Moreover water insecurity increases women's
workload in subsistence farming. Given women's key role in agriculture, it is a fundamental for adaptation efforts
to provide local climate information and enhance meteorological and climatological knowledge.
A climate justice approach amplifies the voices of those people who have done least to cause climate change,
but who are affected most severely by it. It includes the poorest and most marginalized people world-wide who
already suffer most from poverty, hunger, ill-health and injustice. Thus climate justice needs to incorporate a strong
gender perspective. Gender inequities alone can motivate more women to lead in taking action, but women's
leadership must address the entire range of climate issues as well as bringing a gender perspective to each of
them.
The paper would attempt to highlight the need for a robust science communication strategy which can
facilitate action on climate justice in creating a gender-conscious response to reduce the negative impacts of natural
disasters on women, particularly in relation to their critical roles in provision of food, water and energy. Attempt
would be made to emphasise the women farmers are the effective agents of change in relation to adaptation,
mitigation and disaster reduction strategies through science and technology communication programme. It will
be demonstrated that the sensitization programmes are the only source to develop their knowledge, skills, and
experiences for shaping adaptation process for better livelihood. The paper would emphasis on the various
approaches of creating awareness on the expected consequences and risks of climate change in agriculture;
documentation of women's experiences of climate change impacts on agriculture, water, housing, fisheries and
related livelihood issues, as well as feeding into the process of developing adaptation policies and strategies for
local, state and national government for promoting gender equality. The paper will encompass the initiatives to
involve women farmers in developing local-specific issues and reflecting a participatory approach to knowledge
management through communication strategies. It would also elaborate how collaboration with the rural women's
networks and SHG will help in creating community of practitioners.
References
1. Overview of linkages between gender and Climate Change, GGCA, © 2013 United Nations Development
Programme.
2. Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change, U N Women Watch © 2009, www.un.org/women watch.
3. Climate change and gender: economic empowerment of women through climate mitigation and adap-
tation, October 2010.
4. Gender and Climate Change, Climate Justice Briefs, November 2010
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
15
Critique of Environment Public Hearing process in India
with Special Reference to Rights of the Farmers
Dr. Madhuri Parikh
Asst.Professor, Insitute of Law, Nirma Univeristy, map.il@nirmauni.ac.in
India has adopted the concept of sustainable development. Many new development projects are given
permission in India after Environment Impact Assessment of the projects. But still due to the advent of the projects
many people are displaced and rehabilitated. Many farmers lose their fertile land. It indicates that effective
participation of farmers in domestic environmental compliance and enforcement efforts is very essential, as it
is one of the effective ways of protecting their human rights, right to environment. The right to participation allows
people to be part of the decision making process through consultation and comments, and to have their opinion
heard. When members of the public express their views on a proposed project, alternative views, otherwise not
represented, are resented. This paves the way for the decision-making agency to be thorough in their analysis
and thus brings quality and objectivity in the decisions. The present paper focuses on the critical analysis and
evaluation of one of these participatory tool i.e. public hearing as part of environment impact analysis process
in India with special reference to farmers. It critically analyses the efficacy of this tool in protecting the rights
of the farmers in India. It evaluates the Public Hearing process in India with special reference to the farmers.
Global Climate Change and Biodiversity
Prof. Dr. K. Muthuchelian
Ph.D., D.Sc., FNABS., FPBS., FZSI., FIEF (Canada).,
Former Vice Chancellor, Periyar University, Salem, Tamil Nadu
Director, Centre for Biodiversity and Forest Studies
Head and Chairperson, School of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai - 625 021.
drchelian1960@yahoo.co.in
Climate is an integral part of ecosystems and organisms have adapted to their regional climate over time.
Climate change is a factor that has the potential to alter ecosystems and the many resources and services they
provide to each other and to society. Human societies depend on ecosystems for the natural, cultural, spiritual,
recreational and aesthetic resources they provide.
In various regions across the world, some high-altitude and high-latitude ecosystems have already been
affected by changes in climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reviewed relevant published
studies of biological systems and concluded that 20 percent to 30 percent of species assessed may be at risk of
extinction from climate change impacts within this century if global mean temperatures exceed 2-3 °C (3.6-5.4
°F) relative to pre-industrial levels (IPCC, 2007).
These changes can cause adverse or beneficial effects on species. For example, climate change could benefit
certain plant or insect species by increasing their ranges. The resulting impacts on ecosystems and humans,
however, could be positive or negative depending on whether these species were invasive (e.g., weeds or
mosquitoes) or if they were valuable to humans (e.g., food crops or pollinating insects). The risk of extinction
could increase for many species, especially those that are already endangered or at risk due to isolation by
geography or human development, low population numbers, or a narrow temperature tolerance range.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
16
Observations of ecosystem impacts are difficult to use in future projections because of the complexities
involved in human/nature interactions (e.g., land use change). Nevertheless, the observed changes are compelling
examples of how rising temperatures can affect the natural world and raise questions of how vulnerable
populations will adapt to direct and indirect effects associated with climate change.
The composition and geographic distribution of ecosystems will change as individual species respond to new
conditions created by climate change. At the same time, habitats may degrade and fragment in response to other
human pressures. Species that cannot adapt quickly enough may become extinct- an irreversible loss.
Scientists have observed climate- induced changes in at least 420 physical processes and biological species
or communities. Changes include migratory birds arriving earlier in the spring and leaving later in the autumn.
Observations, experiments, and models demonstrate that a sustained increase of just 1oC in the global average
temperature would affect the functioning and composition of forests. The composition of species in existing forests
will change, while new combinations of species, and hence new ecosystems, may be established. Other stresses
caused by warming will include more pests, pathogens, and fires. Because higher latitudes are expected to warm
more than equatorial ones, boreal forests will be more affected than temperate and tropical forests; Alaska's boreal
forests are already expanding northward at the rate of 100 kilometers per degree Centigrade.
They are a major reservoir of carbon, containing some 80% of all the carbon stored in land vegetation, and
about 40% of the atmosphere during transitions form one forest type to another if mortality releases carbon fater
than regeneration and growth absorbs it. Forests also directly affect climate on the local, regional, and continental
scales by influencing ground temperature, evapo- transpiration, surface roughness, albedo (or reflectivity), cloud
formation, and precipitation.
With few exceptions, deserts are projected to become hotter but not significantly wetter. Higher temperatures
could threaten organisms that now exist near their heat- tolerance limits.
Grasslands support approximately 50% of the world's livestock and are also grazed by wildlife. Shifts in
temperatures and precipitation may reshape the boundaries between grasslands, shrublands, forests, and other
ecosystems. In tropical regions such changes in the evapo- transpiration cycle could strongly affect productivity
and the mix of species.
Creating natural migration corridors and assisting particular species to migrate could benefit forest ecosystems.
Reforestation and the integrated management of fires, pests and diseases can also contribute. Rangelands could
be supported through the active selection of plant species, controls on animal stocking, and new grazing strategies.
Wet lands can be restored and even created. Desertified lands may adapt better if drought- tolerant species and
better soil conservation practices are encouraged.
Environmental Issues: Environment Protection Act, Challenges of
Implementation and Livelihood Security
JC Dagar1 and Shakuntla Devi Dagar2
1 Former ADG (ICAR), Emeritus Scientist, Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal-132001, India2 Advocate, District Courts Karnal, Affliation with Punjab & Haryana High Courts, Chandigarh
The decline in environmental quality has been evidenced by increasing all kinds of pollution, loss of vegetation
and biodiversity, excessive concentrations of harmful chemicals and green house gases in the ambient atmosphere
causing climate change, growing risks of environmental accidents, and threat to food chain and life support
systems. Although there are existing laws dealing directly or indirectly with several environmental matters and
even the Environment Protection Act, 1986 received the assent of the President and published in the Gazette
of India followed by several rules handling environmental problems from time to time till 2013; the main concern
is how to get these legislations implemented in letter and spirit? Moreover, the existing laws/rules generally focus
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
17
on specific types of pollution related problems or on specific categories of hazardous substances, or wild-life
protection. Some major areas of environmental hazards and disposal problems are not covered. Removal of
mangroves in coastal areas and forests on hills are ignored facing the consequences of natural disasters. Problem
of tackling issues related to disposal of effluents into rivers and estuaries (effecting coastal ecosystems) remain
intact. There are inadequate linkages in handling matters of industrial and environmental safety issues. Control
mechanisms to guard against slow, insidious build up of hazardous substances, especially new chemicals, in the
environment (soil, water and air) are weak. Many areas need to be redefined and the multiplicity of regulatory
agencies needs to be rectified for proper implementation of laws and regulations. In many areas problems like
accumulation of heavy metals like arsenic, boron, lead, etc and their seepage in drinking ground water is a matter
of health concern both of human and animal population. Despite of 67 years of independence, the major challenge
remains of implementation of laws for handling the municipal solid and liquid wastes and major rivers which are
life lines of millions of people remain polluted. Those who protect the environment through greening (through
plantations) are unable to harvest the benefit of carbon credit as we lack easily implementable policies. There
are several environmental issues which directly or indirectly affect livelihood security particularly of poor people
including farmers with or without land. Some of these issues have been discussed in this paper.
Climate Justice though Regeneration of Common Property Resources
(CPRs) for Income and Employment Generation for the : A Case Study
Dr. R. C. Maheshwari
An integrated approach has been made to develop a wasteland falling under classes IIIes and VIes of land
capability classification in watershed management plan, for achieving fuel and fodder security in an adopted village
Islamnagar under Operational Research Project on Integrated Energy and Nutrient supply System. An Energy Census
and resource Assessment Survey of this village (Maheshwari, et al, 1981) showed that the village was in deficit
of fuel wood by 98.8 tons (20.8% shortfall annually) and cattle feed by 812 tons (30% shortfall annually).
The total area of the village consists of 717 ha out of which 61.6 ha is forest land, more than half of the
forest land comprise of hilly terrain, completely denuded of its trees, however, the silver lining was the fact that
the root stock of trees still existed under the soil. Once the physical protection was ensured and a deep cut was
given to the roots below the surface of the soil during the summer before the rains, the rootstock sprouted and
regenerated very vigorously. In order to meet the fuel wood and fodder demand of the village, 38 ha of land,
as identified on the basis of land use planning,was brought under silvi-pastural development with early growing
tree species and the high yielding varieties of grasses. The soil and water conservation measures taken include
contour survey, cut-off trenches along the contour at 5-10 m vertical interval, vegetative waterways, drainage
ditches, cattle protection trenches and kachha service road along the boundary of the area, temporary erosion
control structures and micro-catchment water harvesting for insitu water conservation. In addition to meeting
fuel wood and fodder demand and other intangible benefits, like artisanal raw materials, the silvipastural
development of identified wasteland generated 1,15,421 man-days of work during a five year period. In other
words, 60 persons could be employed year round for this work alone. In terms of harnessing solar energy through
photosynthetic processes in the form of food, fuel, fiber and fodder amounts to 21 percent annually as against
2-4 percent for field crops. In terms of income generation, the annual auction of natural grasses alone in the fifth
year amounted to Rs 6000 per ha. There was perceptible drop in the ambient temperatures in the summer, with
increased number of birds and wildlife, including a pair of wolves.
*Former Astt Director-General (Center-State Coordination and Technical Coordinationand Plan Implementation and
Monitoring) and Former Vice-Chancellor, S. D. Agricultural University, Gujarat
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
18
'Bio - Rights' As New Paradigm in Empowering Commons for
Environmental Justice
Dr. R Gopichandran and Dipayan Dey
South Asian Forum for Environment; Research and Planning Division
'Bio-rights' is based on the principle of Environmental justice that all people have a right to be protected from
environmental pollution to live in and enjoy a clean and healthful environment. Bio-rights are financial mechanism
to compensate opportunity costs of local stakeholders and assist commons of global south in reconciling poverty
alleviation and sustainable use of natural resources. It could contribute to poverty alleviation by direct payments
to compensate for poverty related costs and distribution of payments to communities on the basis of nature
conservation.
In this review paper, we highlight and assess the significance of the emerging discourse of 'just sustainability'
in global south. We briefly examine the influence of the environmental justice movement upon emerging debates,
and the role of the many and various 'home grown' initiatives; of which the concept of commons Bio-rights is
significant and we finally examine the linkages which may be made between the environmental justice and
sustainability discourses.
The paper describes environmental racism and its underlyingcauses and then presents a case study of
environmentalracism in the coastal wetlands of west Bengal in India that are used as sewerage dumping grounds
and are systematically sitedin poorer areas. The paper also describes a movementof environmental awakening
in one area to fightenvironmental racism and to support isolated, rural and peri-urban fishermencommunities in
their efforts to recover environmentalvalues. Biorights policy should not only be reactive to environmental 'bads',
but should also be proactive in the distribution and achievement of environmental 'goods' like a better livelihood
or a sustainable community growth.
Though the parameters of "environmental justice" may seem virtually unlimited, in response to claims that
urban neighborhoods bore a disproportionate share of environmental risks, however, perusal of data showed that
neither urban neighborhoods nor areas with concentrations of poor people were disproportionately impacted...
The strongest correlation in the study turned up as to the level of political participation: Finally, there is some
evidence to suggest that the government is beginning to recognize that environmental justice can play a role in
the wider agenda for sustainable development and social exclusion. It is this emerging discourse by NGOs and
government based around the linked notions of environmental justice and sustainability.
Environmental justice may be viewed as having two distinct but inter-related dimensions. It is, predominantly
at the local and activist level, a vocabulary for political opportunity, mobilization and action. At the same time,
at the government level, it is a policy principle, that no public action will disproportionately disadvantage any
particular social group. We expand on this below, but it is important to emphasize that a fruitful discussion of
environmental justice is crucially dependent upon recognizing this distinction. It is necessary to place the discourse
of environmental justice firmly within the framework of sustainability. This paper recognizes the integral connec-
tions between justice, reciprocity and equity as a wider question of sustainability and governance.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
19
Widening Participation for Social Justice:
Poverty and Commons Access to Environment
Dr Dipayan Dey
Chair: South Asian Forum for Environment
In this international Year of Sanitation, one in five of the world's population, which includes two-thirds as
women, live in abject poverty; on the margins of existence, without adequate clean water, sanitation or healthcare,
without food and education. This enormous mass basically depends on the natural resources of the environment
around them. The loadstone of urbanization though doesn't consider them as stakeholders neither partner the
poverty. Social justice is not only denied it is refuted rather. The concept of widening participation in sustainable
development has different meanings for different countries, depending on the particular country's overall political
and socioeconomic status. As the above quotation indicates, for many of the poorer countries widening
participation is not a matter of accessing right to natural resources at all, even at the most basic level. It is displacing
them in the name of rehabilitation and thereby narrowing their livelihood opportunities to facilitate elimination
of the poor commons.
As mentioned in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, rural development is stagnating worldwide. For
people living in rural areas the (over)exploitation of natural resources is one of the few options remaining to avoid
poverty. The over-exploitation of natural resources is seriously compromising long-term development, ensuring
that people remain poor, trapped in a so-called poverty trap. 'Bio-rights' offers a novel approach to addressing
this situation, an approach with the potential to effectively increasing income while at the same time stimulating
conservation and sustainable exploitation of natural resources. Global stakeholders profit from the long term
benefits of the natural resources, while local people gain an increased income.
Nevertheless, it is important to note here some key distinctions that serve to perpetuate the North-South
divide on this issue, the most important coming from international donor agencies and their policy-makers. The
present paper would peruse the participatory machinery in global south for sustainable development and assess
the impact of allowing commons an access to nation's natural resources
Justice Education as Sustainability Instrument for Reducing
Interest Conflicts in Development in Global South
Auhors: Ms Amrita Chatterjee and Dr Dipayan Dey
South Asian Forum for Environment; Community Research Wing,
Email: safeinch@gmail.com
Justice Education happens to be the empowerment panacea for the commons in the global south. Right to
participation and socio-economic justice is the only sustainability instrument for reducing interest conflicts in global
south. In developing countries, social impact assessment studies continue to be applied as tools for impact
minimization and mitigation. Optimally, this approach should aim to ensure social justice and maximize devel-
opment options and opportunities consistent with internationally agreed principles of sustainability.
Studies carried out in south Asian countries reveal that assessments of environmental opportunity costs and
social impacts for establishing special economic zone (SEZ) was critically done but reports were not disseminated
to the local stakeholders denying their social justice and development proposals were thus incongruent to
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
20
sustainability objectives. For any Government, profit alone cannot be the motive as it has an obligation to ensure
that such projects do not adversely impact the people. To gauge the likely impact of a project on a State's economy,
a Social-Cost Benefit Analysis (SCB Analysis) is often commissioned. Such an approach ensures social reciprocity,
allows the assessment of the impact of a project on the national economy, unlike financial analysis which has
a narrow perspective of profit accruing. Computation of social profits at the economic hurdle rate is a key step
in assessing whether the project is in the national interest and for computing the kind of concessions that can
be provided by the governments, such as tax concessions or waivers, or giving it SEZ status.
The present paper showcases a case study named POSCO SEZ project in Orissa of India. The study broadly
used the ADB/World Bank methodology on the social cost-benefit with minor adjustments for the local parameters.
Econometric models were used to project border prices for the useful life of the project. The project's impact
from the State economy perspective in terms of the impact on the State GDP (output multiplier effects) and
employment opportunities created within the State (employment multiplier effects) was also assessed.
An important part of the study was the Least Cost Analysis of technology options in the steel-making, the
Finex process that Posco project purports to bring and the traditional blast-furnace technology. The Average
Incremental Economic Cost was used as the yardstick; this was followed by computing the economic IRR (internal
rate of return) to examine whether the project was economically worthwhile from the national economy point
of view. The significant feature of the study is the estimation of depletion premium or the opportunity cost for
deployable and non-renewable resource iron ore.
Although opening up of the economy and sustainable environmental development at the crossroads of
conflicting interests with commons poses uneven challenges, IA tools are seldom brought together in practice to
plan, assess and implement SEZ projects, which requires an integrated approach to clarify the trade-offs between
economic, equity and environmental criteria.
The paper explains that depletion and deterioration of environmental sources and sinks must be kept within
"safe margins" and residual damages be compensated by environmental enhancement. In effect, EIA and SIA should
be applied with explicit reference to the precautionary principle through participatory community partnership and
with the notion of no net loss of natural capital.
International Conference On "Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with
a focus on Farmers"
November 8-9, 2014
Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) India
Impact of Climate Change Technologies in India
Prof. Dr. T. Vidya Kumari
New technologies are tools of progress and development. Innovations and technology transfers are the beacon
lights that attract the developing countries to provide monopoly rights in exchange for useful products and
processes that mitigate problems of public concern including climate change.
It is observed that Patents are akin to fireworks-they need careful handling .The "anti common features" of
the Patent system at times deter progress and pose a threat-a challenge to countries starved of new technologies.
This Paper is a review of the positive role of the Patent system in the protection of environment and climate
change. The different aspects of the relationship between climate change and new technologies will be discussed.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
21
The base of the Paper includes-
1. The review of the various international instruments on climate change. The starting instrument is the
UNFCCC-The UN Framework Convention on Climate change of 1992 followed by the Kyoto Protocol of
1998 which spells out the objectives for its members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Subsequently
there has been a consistent international dialogue for action against climate change. The limitations of
International Instruments and the need for concrete National Policies will be examined in this segment
of the Paper.
2. The role of the Patent system follows. The inherent challenges posed by the IP System due to its anti
common features has a negative effect on the democratic policies of most developing countries including
India.
3. The paper suggests a cooperative approach by the Government to receive the benefits of the Patent
system by encouraging technologies that mitigate climate change.
All efforts are required to mould the IP Laws to ensure the rights of the IP holders for their efforts, skill and
investments for technologies that address climate change and provide enough room for a synergy between IP
holders and the ultimate users of these technologies. The proposals of the Indian Government in this regard will
be discussed.
Institutional Innovation in Climate Smart Agriculture
Public and Social Policies Management, YES BANK Ltd
Tushar Pandey - Senior President
Parth Joshi - Senior Manager / Srijita Dutta - Associate
srijita.dutta@yesbank.in
Indian agriculture is highly dependent upon weather since more than 60% of the cropping area is rain-fed.
A recent IFPRI-CCAFS study has forecasted that India could lose 10-40% of its current crop production by the end
of century due to global warming. The report estimated that 10% drought will increase the prices of rice by 23%.
A long-term strategy needs to be implemented which would prepare farmers to adapt and respond
appropriately to climate change, and effectively overcome the consequences. Climate-Smart Agriculture, which
sustainably increases agricultural productivity and ensures achievement of national food security goals, provides
a window of opportunity to avert the impacts of climate change. This can be facilitated through Public Private
Partnership or by efficient co-operative mechanisms. Co-operatives have been a crucial factor in consolidating the
agriculture sector in the country. The co-operatives cover almost all rural parts in India. Co-operatives are playing
role in agriculture banking since 1904.Co-operatives are effective instruments to establish any scalable model for
agricultural development. The paper proposes a sustainable business model to implement Climate Smart Agri-
culture by involving Financial Institutions and Co-operatives. Climate Smart Agriculture requires expensive farm
machineries & infrastructure that may not be affordable for small & marginal farmers. So, there is a need of
financial ecosystem for co-operatives to construct Custom Hiring Centre from where farmers can afford machin-
eries on rental basis.
Co-operatives can play role of direct intermediary between farmers and consumers. They can procure the
produces directly from farm gate and trade directly to retail consumer. Financial Institutions can deliver advisory
services for marketing & branding of the products as well as offer credit for construction of warehouses, primary
processing, and transport & logistics facilities.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
22
This paper analyses how a sustainable business model can be effectively implemented towards workable
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices.
Keywords: Climate Change, Agriculture, Cooperatives, Adaptation, Mitigation, Climate Smart Agriculture, Business
Sustainability
Climate Justice: Agriculture Perspectives
Dr. A. Arunachalam
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, KrishiBhawan, New Delhi 110001
Agriculture appears in the global climate change negotiations principally as a crosscutting issue - relevant to
almost all of the main negotiating topics, yet for the most part appearing only incidentally. However, when it comes
to ground zero, the cultural practices and traditional knowledge systems that helps in adapting the communities
to climate change impacts are enormous and significant; these processes also indirectly help in the mitigation
processes. It is all believed that adaptation can only be carried out with sufficient provision of financial resources,
as well as transfer and sharing of relevant technologies and practices and building of indigenous capacity to address
the broad range of impacts at levels from local to national. It is therefore envisaged that the policies that are
derived from the global vision should converge into win-win strategic action plans through local level implemen-
tation. While doing so, the indigenous and rural farming practices as well as other ancestral models of agricultural
practices that contributes to solving the problem of agriculture and food sovereignty, given the contextual human
population, should also be given priorities in the achieving the climate justice at par with the environmental
sustainability per se.
Overview of Presentation
by Robert Jordan
Farming in India is a highly complex socio-economic phenomenon. Climate justice is therefore part of a much
broader issue of justice for farmers, the rural poor and indigenous peoples in India. This presentation is intended
to provide insights into emerging international policies and their implications for farmers in India. It outlines
opportunities provided by the new Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Economy, Low Emission Develop-
ment Strategies and various initiatives connected with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change and the FAO Committee on World Food Security. But it also questions the suitability of the predominating
economic paradigm of market-led trade liberalization that underpins many UN policies for providing India's most
vulnerable people - farmers, rural poor and indigenous peoples with justice and a fair deal.
For a nation that has perhaps more farmers than any other country and which is home to a quarter of the
worlds under-nourished it is absolutely essential that agriculture initiatives primarily engage and empower India's
farmers and rural poor. It also looks at the types of agriculture that can deliver gains for Indian farmers and tribal
people in terms of resilience, justice, profitability and sustainable development. Finally the presentation looks at
the important leadership that NCCSD is providing and makes some suggestions for how it could leverage the
networks and expertise it is rapidly assembling for considerable impact at the national and international levels.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
23
Is this justice to the saviours of the Climate?
Shalin Shah
Deputy General Manager - Health, Environment & Safety
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited
Email: shalinshah65@gmail.com
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) more popularly known as "Carbon credits" is no longer a new
terminology. It has been introduced since beginning and well accepted in various industrial sectors to gain credits
against their future emission reduction potentials.It is mainly done for offsetting the emissions of developed
countries by the activities of developing countries. We are at the stage of phase out of Kyoto Protocol and new
treaty will be signed when world leaders will meet next year in Paris during Conference of Parties 21 of UNFCCC.
Though it took several years to establish a good process for developing a CDM project which is simpler,
acceptable and verifiable, even today it needs special skills to understand its basics to be able to convert them
in to a good acceptable proposal. Baseline conditions, Approved methodology, Leakages, Additionality etc. are
part of CDM process which is even difficult for technical experts also.
For Agriculture sector it is still to start from the scratch. One important thing is to realize that all other sectors
have to put efforts to achieve emission reductions but agriculture is the only sector which by default reduces
emissions. Agriculture through their photosynthesis activity is the only known technology in the world by which
CO2 is absorbed and converted to products like glucose. But the sector is driven by the poorest community i.e.
farmers. How one can expect a farmer to be able to match with the capabilities required to register their efforts
for this global movement called Climate Change. They are anyway and continue to contribute without any support.
Like Energy & other industrial process sectors thatare having all the capacities including financial resources, have
achieved carbon credits beyond imagination. But in the entire process still agriculture sector is far behind.
The process of registering the project / activity which reduces emissions and claim carbon credits is very
lengthy and tedious. Thought it has now scope for small players to join together and increase the feasibility of
the project / activity but adaptability and dependability is still a big challenge. No government has ever thought
for this sector to help them achieve rewards for their contribution towards Climate Change mitigation.
Is this justice to the saviours of our Climate?
Helping farmers cope with climate variability and change in the regions
of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
Dr Anthony Whitbread
Director of the Resilient Dryland Systems Program,
International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
The International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is has been in existence since
1972 with its headquarters in Hyderabad and research stations and offices in several sub-Saharan countries giving
it a global outreach. Coping with climate, both variability and change, is often the No.1 challenge to farming in
the semi-arid tropics. The program that I lead, Resilient Dryland Systems, uses multidisciplinary research (biophysi-
cal, social and economic sciences) to understanding the farming systems in the semi-arid regions. Our research
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
24
for development (R4D) approach is at a range of scales, field-farm-watershed. These R4D approaches are used
to identify technologies and intervention strategies and their entry points that that may then be applied at scale
to reach millions of farmers.
Our research focus is therefore:
• Enhancement of farm income and risk minimization through better agronomic management (i.e. rota-
tions, crop diversification, soil fertility, enhanced water use efficiency, organic and inorganic nutrient use).
• Generation of farm income through the enhancement of the synergies between crop and livestock
enterprises (i.e. forages for livestock creating income from milk and meat, recycling of N from BNF, tree-
crop-livestock systems, market linkage).
• Natural resource management through enriching and buffering water and nutrient supplies; protecting
soils and moderating microclimates; reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The approaches and tools we use are:
• Considering how smallholder farm households deal with drought and food insecurity based on the surveys,
stakeholder consultations, bioeconomic modelling.
• The use of innovation platforms and value chain approaches that enable intervention strategies to be
connected with market opportunities.
• The use of simulation platforms (e.g. crop-APSIM/DSSAT, bioeconomic-statistical and linear programming)
to explored strategies for coping with drought and adapting to climate change- (Key Focal Area - Model
based analysis)
• Improvement of vulnerability assessment and mapping of resource potential and land use using advanced
geospatial techniques.
• Investigation of risk-reducing policies, safety nets, gender equity, early warning systems, and resilience
and recovery strategies.
My talk will show data that indicates the climate has indeed changed in the past decades pushing some areas
of India into drier agro-climatic classifications. But most of the focus will be on how farmers might better cope
with uncertainty by making more informed decisions using information from seasonal climate forecasts, historical
analyses of local climate, and a better understanding of soils and crops. I will use examples from the driest
continent, Australia, to show that farming can be less risky by combining such sources of information. By working
together as scientists, extension workers, policy makers and farmers, farming can become profitable and
sustainable in almost any environment.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
25
Analysis of Seasonality Variations and Copping Strategies among Cocoa
Growers : A Case of Kyela and Rungwe Districts
Magreth Bushesha
Abstract
The study investigated how cocoa farmers cope with seasonality variations in Kyela and Rungwe districts in
Mbeya Region Tanzania. The study had two specific objectives; to identify main buffer sources of income at times
when cocoa produce go down; and to identify challenges that face cocoa growers in the study area. The study
adopted a descriptive research design. Simple random sampling was used to select 224 sample population. Data
was collected through questionnaire administration, in-depth discussion with key informants, focus group discus-
sion, observation, and documentary review. Thematic data analysis was adopted to analyze qualitative data
whereas simple descriptive statistical analysis was adapted to analyze quantitative data. The study identified such
crops as maize, beans, groundnuts, paddy, watermelon, banana, oil palm, and cassava to be major buffer crops
at times when income from cocoa go down in both districts. Off farm activities including livestock keeping, fishing,
selling of forest products, and petty business also add income among farmers. Off-farm activities including food
vending, selling of forestry products and petty business also play an important role in income generation among
cocoa growers. The study suggests that farmers should be encouraged to invest not only on farming rather in
off-farm activities too especially because rainfall for agricultural production is no longer reliable. The government
should also assist farmers to regulate prices.
Key words: Seasonality, Cocoa, Sustainable Livelihood, Rungwe, Kyela
Introduction
Cocoa is among crops that make an important livelihood options in Kyela and Rungwe districts. However
according to Anim-Kwapong and Frimpong (2005) cocoa yields fluctuates with seasons, in some seasons cocoa
yields tend to be high whereas in others they tend to be low. A study by Bushesha (2011) indicated that seasonality
is an issue of concern among cocoa growers in Kyela district which is one of the study areas; this is particularly
because rainfall data in kyela shows inter-seasonal and inter-annual variations. Not only that but also length of
dry seasons varies between years. The major concern of this study was on how farmers, who depends mainly
on cocoa for their livelihood cop in different seasons.
The Problem
Cocoa is one of the most important sources of income among its growers in Kyela and Rungwe districts
(Bushesha 2011). The crop gives yields throughout the year and it can be sold throughout the year hence allowing
farmers of having petty cash throughout the year (Bushesha 2011). The crop, however, is sensitive to seasonal
variations in terms of yields (Anim-Kwapong and Frimpong 2005; Bushesha 2011). Variations in yields mean
variations in income among its growers. This study intended to establish how farmers cope with such variations
in cocoa yield. Answer sing this question has implications on peoples' livelihoods; this is key for sustainable
development planning.
Research Objectives
The main objective of this study was to produce a holistic study of the examination of the seasonality copping
strategies and their implications on livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Tanzania. Specifically the study intended to:
1. Identify main buffer sources of income at times when cocoa yields go down.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
26
2. Examine implications of buffer sources of income on farmers' livelihood.
3. Identify challenges facing cocoa growers in the study area.
Research Questions
The study strives to answer one main question which is: In which ways cocoa growers buffer themselves from
income fluctuations within different seasons? The study will answer the following specific questions: -
1. Which months around the year are characterised by heavy rains and which ones are characterised by
drought and how these vary annually?
2. What produce are available within different seasons and how these complement sources of livelihoods?
3. What off-farm activities are perceived important for buffering at times when cocoa yield dwindles?
4. What are the implications of coping strategies on livelihoods?
Literature Review on seasonality copping strategies among small holder farmers
The term seasonality is defined as the variation that occur in different seasons and characterized by a series
in which the data experiences regular and predictable changes which recur every calendar year. Any predictable
change or pattern in a time series that recurs or repeats over a one-year period can be said to be seasonal (http:/
/www.investopedia.com, 27.09.2012).
According to Devereux (2009) farming process among small holders is dependent of a hypothetical expec-
tations among farmers that rains will timely start, adequately rain and be normally distributed; this hypothetical
situation tend to be within the minds of farmers hence the courage of undertaking the different farming activities
including field preparations, seed planting, weeding, and tending fields in all ways while looking forward for a
bumper harvest. When this hypothetical situation fails to materialize farmers become victims of wasting resources
and eventually of hunger and poverty. Communities most vulnerable to seasonality variations are rural that derive
their livelihoods predominantly from farming. They cultivate food and other crops for subsistence and income
(Devereux 2009).
Swift and Hamilton (2001) describe the concept of coping strategy as "a behavior or action that helps
smallholders respond to seasonality by using available resources and create additional income for consumption
or investment in order to adapt to environmental changes" (Swift and Hamilton 2001: 73). Where rains happen
to rain inadequately or happen to be poorly distributed as a result they cause poor harvest, farmers opt to sell
assets such as livestock, bicycles, to cover up the gap of income which could otherwise be generated from cultivated
crops (Swift and Hamilton, 2001).
According to Below et al. (2010) adaptation practices to seasonality variability can be classified as follows:
Farm management and technology; farm financial management; diversification on and beyond the farm; govern-
ment interventions in rural infrastructure; the rural health care services, and risk reduction for the rural population;
knowledge management, networks, and governance. Some known seasonality coping strategies among farmers
in different areas include migration and sales of assets. Male members or whole families migrate to nearby towns
to search for work in the non-agricultural areas, mostly in the construction sector. In hard times, children are taken
out of school and send to work to support the family (Devereux, 2009).
The other known coping strategy for prolonged dry seasons is delayed sowing (Devereux, 2009). This is
adaptation per necessity, sowing early without irrigation would lead to crop failure. Further, changing cropping
patterns is another noted adaptation strategy for seasonality variability around the world (Toulmin 2009). As the
growing seasons get shorter, for example, farmers tend to be constrained to change their cropping patterns
(Toulmin 2009). Where no irrigation is available, farmers have stopped growing (ibid). Indigenous knowledge also
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
27
plays a significant role in early warning and weather forecast, forest and pasture conservation, soil and water
conservation and disaster preparedness (Kihupi, 2000; Mhita, 2006).
It is not clear whether these strategies apply to small scale farmers in Tanzania. Using the case of cocoa growers
this study is likely to shed light on the applicability of these afore said copping strategies to seasonality variability
among small holder farmers in Tanzania. However the research is specifically focusing at explaining how and what
do farmers do to supplement income at times where cocoa income dwindles due to seasonality variations.
Around the world seasonality copping strategies have been a major agenda in improving crop production to
small holder farmers. With unpredictable changes in seasonality different countries in the world have adopted
different strategies to help small scale farmers cope with seasonality variations. Bruns, (2004) for example reports
that Indonesia spent US dollar 10 billion on irrigation to assist small holder farmers to cope with prolonged dry
seasons between 1968 and 1993. As of 2004 the Indonesian government had supported 1.5 million hectares of
small holder farmers in coping with prolonged drought (Bruns, 2004). IPCC advocates more intensive use of water
impoundment; several useful examples are given from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Perm culture,
water harvesting and infiltration pits, together with the use of drought tolerant crops, have been more recently
extended in Zimbabwe, particularly by women in response to recurrent droughts (Stigter et al., 2005).
In Tanzania, use of excavated banded basins for rice farming particularly in the Lake Zone; creation of raised
broad basins locally called Vinyungu for prolonged drought in Iringa region; and use of water storage structures
locally called Ndiva in Kilimanjaro are some of coping strategies to seasonality. Growing high water demanding
crops in the lower parts of a landscape using rainwater from the surrounding high grounds has been practiced
in semi-arid areas of Tanzania (Mbilinyi et al., 2005). According NAPA (2005), the existing adaptation and coping
strategies for Tanzania for the agriculture sector include alternative farming systems; promotion of indigenous
knowledge; change of planting dates in some agro ecological zones; increase of irrigation; drip irrigation for specific
regions; growing short-season and drought tolerant crops such as sorghum and millet over maize; shifting crop
farming to more appropriate agro ecological zones; changing crop rotation practices; integrated crop and pest
management; make better use of climate and weather data, weather forecasts, and other management tools;
create awareness on the negative effects of climate change; sustainable water management; and insist on annual
and short term crops (NAPA, 2005).
Empirical evidence regarding seasonality coping strategies among cocoa growers in Tanzania is limited. The
crop was first planted in Mbeya region in 1952 (URT 1988). From that time cocoa was grown in the then Tanganyika
British colonial government farm estates in Kyela and Rungwe districts. In 1960, the government of Tanganyika
encouraged small-holder cocoa production, such an encouragement led to expansion of small cocoa farm
establishments in parts of Kyela and to a lesser extent in the lowlands of Rungwe district (URT 1988). However
there no literature explaining how cocoa farmers have been copping with season variations since then. The
agricultural and livestock policy of 1997 for example does not state anything concerning the seasonality copping
strategies among small (cocoa) farmers despite the fact that past policies (i.e. 1983Tanzania Agricultural and
Livestock Policy) recognized cocoa as an important crop for income generation among small scale holders. The
1983 Agricultural policy acknowledged that cocoa is a good small-scale foreign exchange earner (nearly $4 million
in 1992) surpassing many other non-traditional exports. The policy stated that due to the importance of cocoa
in the country, the government would use its extension service to promote the crop and would encourage
cooperatives and the private sector to continue with the marketing of the crop (URT 1983). Therefore lack of
literature in the study of cocoa cultivation and seasonality copping strategies in Tanzania has left such unanswered
questions as: - To what extent are earnings from cocoa contribute to peoples' livelihoods in the study area? How
such earnings vary with seasons? What options are there for farmers at times when cocoa produce does not satisfy
needs? The study was therefore undertake to answer these questions.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
28
Methodology
The Study Area
Kyela (Figure2) and Rungwe (Figure 3) districts were selected basing on the fact that they are the major cocoa
growing districts in the country (URT 1982). Kyela district lies between 9º 25º and 9º 40º latitudes south of Equator
and 35º 41º and 30º longitudes east of Greenwich meridian. The district borders Makete and Ludewa districts
to the east, Ileje district to the west, and Rungwe district to the north. The district also borders Lake Nyasa and
the Republic of Malawi to the south. The district has an area of 1322 km2 (132,200 ha). The district receives rains
of about 2000 - 3000mm per annum. The main rainy season is between November and June, with the heaviest
rainfalls usually occurring in April and May (Bushesha 2011). The district has a warm and humid climate, with
mean daily temperature of 23ºC. The natural vegetation is of tropical savannah forest and grass, with lagoon
vegetation on swamps and rivers mouths. Agriculture is the main economic activity in the strict. Production of
food and cash crops account for 79.3% of employment and 88% of the district's Gross Domestic Product.
Rungwe District is located between 80030' and 9030' latitudes South and 330 and 340 longitudes East. The
District borders Kyela district to the South, Ileje district to the West, Makete district to the East and Mbeya district
to the North. The district is mountainous and it experiences average rainfall ranging from 900mm and 2,700mm.
Temperatures are moderate ranging from 18oC - 250C all year round. Agriculture is the mainstay of Rungwe District
economy (Rungwe DADP Draft 2012-13).
Figure2: Kyela district
Source: Department of Geography University of Dar-es-salaam (2013)
Figure 3: Rungwe District
Source: Department of Geography university of Dar-es-salaam (2013)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
29
The Research Design
This study applied a descriptive research design. Hence the adoption of such data collection techniques as
focus groups and interviews; these approaches allows for probing through asking follow-up questions so as to
get the in-depth information for depth description of events (Silverman 2005). A questionnaire was administered
to generate descriptive statistical data. The use of more than one set of data sources allowed data triangulation.
Sample Size and Sampling Procedures
In Kyela district the study was conducted in two wards namely Mwaya and Lusungo. The total number of
households in two wards were 3938 and a sample of 114 households was randomly selected. In Rungwe District
the study was conducted Kisiba and Kikole wards. The two wards had a total of 2337 households and a sample
of 110 households was randomly selected for the study. Key informers for in-depth interviews were selected
purposively where by former and current cocoa growers were interviewed.
Data Collection and analysis
The study employed multiple survey data collection techniques including documentary review which included
instrumental records of rainfall and temperature, interviews with key informants, questionnaire administration,
and Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs). Qualitative data was thematically analyzed. According to Robson (2002)
thematic data analysis is one of the most common approaches to data analysis in qualitative research. As
recommended by Ryan and Bernard (2003), repetitions, indigenous typologies, metaphors, similarities and
differences, and linguistic connectors, were key issues which were observed when searching for themes. The
researcher then described these themes and subthemes, critically interpreted them and finally made recommen-
dations. Simple descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse quantitative data.
Findings and Discussion
Respondents Characteristics
Out of 224 respondents 193 were male and only 31 were females (Figure 4). Further majority of the
respondents were aged 36-45 years old, followed by respondents aged 46-55, above 55, 26-35 and 16-25years
respectively (Table 1).
Figure 4: Pie chart showing percentage between males and females.
Table1: Age Characteristics of respondents
Age group No of respondents
16 - 25 13
26 - 35 45
36 - 45 74
46 - 55 48
Above 55 44
Total 224
Source: Field data 2013
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
30
Figure 5: High and low seasons for harvesting and selling cocoa
Table 2: Buffer crops at times when cocoa is not available in abundance (respondents could tick more than one
option)
Buffer crops Kyela n=164 Rungwe n=110
Frequency % Frequency %
Banana 81 49.4 68 61.8
beans 32 19.5 26 23.6
cassava 58 35.4 16 14.5
groundnuts 27 16.5 0 00
Sweet potatoes 44 26.8 0 00
Watermelon 8 4.9 0 00
Source: Field data 2013
Crops as groundnuts, watermelon and sweet potatoes are not grown in large quantities as cocoa and paddy
in the study areas Table 3 However farmers were of the opinion that these crops make good buffer at times where
cocoa harvests go down. A farmer from Kyela made a comment as follows:
"I have few acres …about three…I grow a mix of crops …. Groundnuts and sweet potatoes…they supplement
the income from cocoa especially in August say up to October, without these I would be in trouble"
Main buffer sources of income at times when cocoa produce go down
Buffer income from crops other than cocoa
In Kyela district cocoa harvests and sells are poor during dry season (figure 5); during this season buffer crops
include paddy, cassava, banana, beans, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, and water melon (Table 2). In Rungwe district
during wet season where cocoa is not available in abundant (figure 5) buffer crops include beans, banana, corn
and cassava (Table 2).
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
31
Table 3: Crops grown in the study area
Crops Grown in the Kyela n=114 Rungwe n=110
study are Frequency % Frequency %
Cocoa 92 80.7 99 90
Paddy 106 92.9 61 55.5
Banana 80 70.1 88 80
Cassava 47 41.2 62 56.4
Round potatoes 00 00 47 42.7
Coffee 00 00 09 8.2
Corn 63 55.3 38 34.5
Beans 86 75.4 42 38.2
Groundnuts 61 53.5 18 16.4
Njugu mawe 28 24.6 11 10
Sweet potatoes 57 50 04 3.6
Palm oil 79 69.3 02 1.8
Watermelon 69 60.5 00 00
Source: Field data 2013
Watermelon is a newly introduced cash crop in Rungwe district; only few farmers grow the crop (Table 3).
But according to FGD members in Rungwe, the number of farmers who grow watermelons is increasing day after
day.
Buffer income from Livestock Keeping
Cocoa farmers keep livestock to generate income. Animals kept include pigs, goats and dairy cattle. Farmers
also keep birds such as chickens and ducks. Table 4 presents types of livestock kept to subsidize income from
cocoa and other crops.
Table 4: Livestock kept for subsiding income from crops
Livestock kept Kyela Rungwe
Frequency % Frequency %
Cattle 36 31.6 22 19.3
Goats 12 10.5 08 7
Pigs 17 14.9 15 13
Chicken 49 43 32 28
Ducks 09 7.9 03 2.6
Source: Field data 2013
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
32
Buffer income from fishing
Fishing is another source of buffer income in the study area. In Kyela district fishing is mainly practiced in
Lake Nyasa while in Rungwe district farmers have their own fish ponds, very few individuals have fish ponds in
Kyela (Table 5).
Table 5: Households with fish ponds
Do you have a Kyela Rungwe
fish pond? No of respondents % No of respondents %
Yes 03 2.6 22 20
No 111 97.4 88 80
Total 114 100 110 100
Source: field data 2013
Selling forestry products
Selling of forestry products makes another source of buffer income for cocoa farmers in the study area; this
includes selling charcoal, furniture fire wood, honey and timber (Table 6).
Table 6: Forest products sold for income generation
Products Kyela Rungwe
Frequency % Frequency %
Charcoal 11 9.7 07 6.4
Furniture 07 6.1 03 2.7
Firewood 11 9.7 08 7.3
Timber 09 7.9 07 6.4
Honey 04 3.5 09 8.2
Source: Field data 2013
Because of cutting trees without replanting, the supply of wood is decreasing, and people have to walk further
and further to obtain firewood as one of the farmers from Rungwe commented:
"Nowadays we really walk and walk far far far to get wood. Timber product is not good nowadays
because of transport costs wood is found far to the interior of the forest".
Petty Trade
Selling of brown sugar by street vendors is the major trade between Kyela and Malawians. In Rungwe trading
is not as popular as in Kyela. Farmers also engage in other small business activities as food vending such as frying
banana, fish, chicken and cassava, retail shops, bars and restaurants. Table 7 presents types of petty business that
some farmers engage in as part of subsidizing income from farming activities.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
33
Table 7: Petty business in the study area
Business Kyela Rungwe
Frequency % Frequency %
Sugar vending 16 14 5 4.6
Food vending 12 10.5 7 6.4
Retail shop 4 3.5 3 2.7
Restaurant 2 1.8 3 2.7
Bar 2 1.8 1 0.9
Source: Field data 2013
Although trade is significantly done in the study areas, there is the need to follow up which products do better
in the market and how. That will help to promote such products in order to improve farmers' income status in
the study areas.
Non Seasons bottlenecks facing cocoa growers in the study area
Market, lower prices, delayed payments, land shortage, transportation, pests and diseases and Monkeys
Market is a challenge for cocoa farmers. Farmers were asked to identify their most liable buyers of cocoa;
most of them indicated that small vendors famously known as njemke are the most liable buyers of cocoa in
both Kyela and Rungwe districts (Table 8).
Table 8: Most reliable cocoa buyers
Buyers Kyela Rungwe
No of respondents % No of respondents %
Small vendors 104 91.2 93 84.5
Cooperative unions 3 2.6 5 4.5
Industrial producers 5 4.4 6 5.5
Fellow farmers 2 1.8 6 5.5
Total 114 100 110 100
Source: Field data (2013)
Most farmers identified that the problem with small vendors is that they use exploitative containers to
measure cocoa beans. They use plastic containers that have been warmed hence enlarged in size such that they
take more than meant amount of cocoa beans (Table 9).
Table 9: Small vendors' means of measuring cocoa
Measurement Kyela Rungwe
Frequency % Frequency %
Exploitative containers 98 86 88 80
Weighing Machine 16 14 12 11
Sacks 34 30 26 24
Source: Field data 2013
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
34
A respondent from Kyela made a comment that indicates the extent to which farmers perceive that middle
men exploit them; the comment is in line with findings on table 7.
"….the Njemke are not that much good buyers because they play with our minds…they measure using
buckets meant for 10kgs or small tins meant for 3kgs famously known as "vilita". But they deform
these containers so that they can take more cocoa but we can do nothing, they are our common
buyers of cocoa her…"
Cocoa price is another problem for cocoa growers in the study area. Table 10 shows that over 85% of
respondents in Kyela and over 83% of respondents in Rungwe indicated that prices are at a lower side. Likewise
over 78.1% and over 76% of respondents in Kyela and Rungwe respectively indicated that there is a delay in
payments. The data further shows that buyers pay less than agreed.
Table 10: Bottlenecks in cocoa production
Bottlenecks Kyela Rungwe
Frequency % Frequency %
Lower price 97 85.1 92 83.6
Delayed payments 89 78.1 84 76.4
Less pays than agreed 58 50.8 57 51.8
Land shortage 65 57 79 71.8
Pests and diseases 45 39.5 46 41.8
Transportation 84 73.6 89 80.9
monkeys 48 42.1 08 7.3
From table 10 it can be noted that farmers were of the opinion that land for cocoa cultivation is limited.
Table 11 also shows that sizes of cocoa farms per household range from 0.5ha to 6 ha only. During Focus group
discussion in Kyela it was learnt that there is suitable land for cocoa growing but far away from homesteads, farmers
avoid such land for security reasons. Table 11 shows that in both Kyela and Rubgwe people aged between 36-
45 years own large cocoa farms than the rest of the age groups whereas age group 16 to 25 do own the least.
Table 11: Age groups against cocoa farm sizes in the study area
Age Group Farm Sizes (acres)
0 - 5 6 - 10
Kyela Rungwe Kyela Rungwe
16 - 25 12 07 0 6
26 - 35 3 11 2 4
36 - 45 57 38 4 11
46 - 55 21 16 2 7
Above 55 12 4 1 6
Source: Field data (2012)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
35
Table 10 indicates that 73.6% and 80.9% of respondents in Kyela and Rungwe respectively were of the opinion
that transportation is a problem to cocoa farmers. Through observation it was noted that, in Kyela, villages with
poor road network includes Lusungo, Kikuba, Kikole, Mperangwasi, and Mpakani. In such villages buyers also have
not established sales centers hence cocoa farmers have to transport their produce to nearby villages where they
can find sales centers. In such villages famers use motorcycles and bicycles as cheap means of transport to access
market places. Otherwise farmers walk up to more than 10km to access markets.
5.0 Conclusion and recommendations
The study set out to identify main buffer sources of income at times when cocoa produce go down; and to
identify challenges facing cocoa growers in the study area. The study has shown that the main buffer sources
of income at times where income from cocoa goes down include income from selling crops other than cocoa
including paddy, sweet potatoes, ground nuts, beans and watermelon. The study has also identified such off- farm
activities as petty business, livestock keeping, fishing and selling of forestry products to be important sources of
income buffering farmers when income from cocoa is not sufficient.
This study concludes that there is a number of copping strategies that farmers can adopt and get away with
the impact of cocoa yield variations with seasons. Farmers need to be encouraged to grow such crops as cassava,
irrigated paddy, water melon, oil palm, and banana as these can make good buffer income at times when yields
from cocoa declines. But also off farm activities such as petty business has been found to play an important role
in terms of income generations in the study areas. Therefore farmers need to be educated on business management
to increase income through petty business. Livestock keeping, professional careers and talents activities persuaded
as well as fishing, all acts as income buffering activities to cocoa producers in Kyela and Rungwe district; all these
need to be promoted. Adding value to farm produce may also promote income in the study area. Hence farmers
should be encouraged to sell dried cocoa for example as well as to process most farm produce instead of selling
them raw.
The study also concludes that there are a number of challenges facing cocoa growers that different
stakeholders need to address. One of the challenges is land shortage. Farmers need support especially in terms
of increasing productivity per area since land is not enough. Further, farmers need to be assisted to search for
reliable markets for these buffer crops. The government should also find ways to regulate cocoa price.
REFERENCES
• Anim-Kwapong, G.J. and Frimpong, E.B., 2005. Vulnerability of agriculture to climate change: impact of climate
change on cocoa production.
www.nlcap.net/fileadmin/NCAP/Countries/Ghana/COCOA_DRAFT_
FINAL_REPORT.pdf
• Below T., Astrid A., Siebert R., and Stefan Sieber S. (2010) Micro-level Practices to Adapt to Climate Change
for African Small-scale Farmers: A Review of Selected Literature IFPRI Discussion Paper 00953
• Bushesha (2011) subsistence farmer perceptions and responses to contemporary climate change in rural
Tanzania: a multi-factor analysis. PhD Thesis Department of Geography and Environmental Science University
of Bradford
• Bruns 2004
• Devereux Stephen (2009), Seasonality and Social Protection in Africa, FAC Working Paper No SP07, January
• Robson, C (2000) Real World Research. Blackwell publishers, UK.
• Ryan, G.W., and Bernard, H.R. (2003), 'Techniques to Identify Themes', Field Methods, 15:85 - 109.
• Silverman D (2005) Doing Qualitative Research: - A practical handbook. SAGE, London.
• Toulmin C. (2009) Climate Change in Africa. Zed Books London/New York
• United Republic of Tanzania (1982) Cocoa Development Project for Mbeya Region. Project Report Dar es
Salaam
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
36
ABSTRACTS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
37
Abstracts
1 Impact of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture - Patil Vijay Ramchandra 41
2 Role of Government Policies and Schemes in Climate Justice Initiatives., GUJARAT - Dr. Mina Vyas 42
3 Policy and Simple Solutions for Farmers in India to fight against adverse effects of Climate
Change - Prateek Tak 44
4 Climate justice: equity and justice informing a new climate Agreement - Upmanyu Bhaumik &
Parth Mishra 45
5 “Climate Smart Agriculture” For Oranges (Mandarin), In Nagpur District - Dr. Jyotsna S. Deshpande 45
6 Regional climate change, livelihood, agriculture and awareness - Sibananda Senapati 47
7 Mountain agriculture in context of climate change: Issues of Livelihood sustainability in Sikkim -
Suman Ghimiray & Bipul Chhetri 47
8 Right to Environment and Judicial Enforcement - Seyon R 48
9 Understanding indigenous farming techniques and traditional knowledge systems in agriculture as
the link between the food-climate nexus and international law - Ipshita Chaturvedi 49
10 Environment and Human Rights: Indian Perspective - Akanksha Singhal & Swati Sharma 50
11 National And International Legal Framework For Climate Justice - Dr. P. P. Waghmare 50
12 Unequal Burden of Climate Change on Farmers: National and International Response - Swati Saini 51
13 Impact of Climate change on farmers and sustainable livelihood - Jeyamohan K 51
14 Environmental Issues And Consequences Of Textile Dyeing Industries In Tamil Nadu With A Focus
On Its Impact On Farmers And Agriculture - Raghunatha Sethupathy 52
15 Theorizing Climate Justice to addressing practical challenges on Sustainable development -
Aparna vijayan 52
16 Impact of climate change over Environment and Sustainable Livelihood: An empirical study of
Sundarban’s community of West Bengal - Nilay Banarjee, Koustab Majumdar, Pradipta Dubey 53
17 Impact of Agricultural Modernization on Sustainable livelihood among the Tribal and Non-tribal
farmers of Sabarkantha District of Gujarat State - Mayur Prajapati, K.D.Solanki, K.A.Thakkar 54
18 Climate Change, Agriculture and International Trade: Conflicts, Challenges and Opportunities -
Neeraj Mandaiya & Ayush Sahay 55
19 Rules-regulation and laws related agriculture and environment & its implementation - K.Archana 56
20 Climate Change, Loss of Livelihood of Farmers and Human Rights - Dr. Achyutananda Mishra 56
21 Impact of rainfall variability and other farm factors on rural household income: a multivariate
analysis for select districts of Gujarat - Meeta Goel & Anand Patwardhan 57
22 Impact Of Climate Change On Farmers And Sustainable Livelihood - Sakshi Sharma &
Alaukik Shrivastava 58
23 Rules-Regulation And Laws Related Agriculture and Environment And Its Implementation -
Mukta Verma & Dr. Pawan Kumar 59
24 Capacity Building, Technology Transfer & Adaptation measures in India to address Climate Change
impacts and its comparative analysis with other Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) -
Chiradeep Basak 60
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
38
25 Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives - Abhijeet Andrews & Pravin Sankalp 61
26 The Tussle between developed and developing Nations: Impact on Climate - Heena Duggal &
Rashi Gupta 62
27 Climate Change: A pitfall for agriculturally dependent rural Livelihoods in India? - Lakshita Bhati 64
28 Women and Policy making on Climate Change - Tejaswini Ranjan & Rahul Ranjan 64
29 Moringa Leaf Extract: An easy tool for climate smart agriculture - Dr Shahzad M.A. Basra,
Irfan Afzal, Hafeez-ur-Rehman 65
30 New Urbanism And Sustainability: A Planning Approach - Jinu Jose & Dr. Krupesh A. Chauhan 65
31 A note on the environmental impacts of mining dust on crop productivity in Bellary District -
Dr. Ponnaluru Srinivasa Sasdhar 66
32 Impact Of Climate Change Technologies in India - Dr. T. Vidya Kumari 66
33 Strengthening climate justice initiatives - Thakur Jethani 67
34 Climate Change and its effect on Jammu and Kashmir - Dr. Tabassum Sheikh 69
35 An analysis of the Legislations and policies in India in response to global climate changes issues
in last decade- Jaymangal M. Dhanraj 69
36 Municipal Solid Waste Management In India And Climate Justice - Rashmi Kumari 70
37 Mitigating climate change: Promoting Biomass gas for climate justice - Haribhai Mori,
Prashant Borkute and Shilpa Vasavada 71
38 More Decentralisation for Sustainable Development - Thilakanandan.c 72
39 Agriculture and Climate Justice: Trend of Farmers Suicide and Climate Justice in light of
Government Plans and Policies for Farmers in India - Sunita Sharma, N. Bangkim Singh 73
40 Government Role on Climate Change - Suyash Srivastava 74
41 Climate Justice and Initiatives by the Nation - Arifa Zahra 74
42 Tort Remedies: Public And Private Nuisance And Negligence - Soumya Jha 75
43 Role of Government Policies and Schemes in Climate Justice Initiatives - Harsh Bajpai,
Rishabh Saxena 76
44 Environmental Management and Sustainable Development in field of Agriculture- Utkarsh Singh,
Ayushi Agarwal 77
45 Climate Justice with respect to development of Indian farmers - Ripal Gupta, Jimit Pandit 78
46 Strengthening Climate Justice initiatives; Livelihood challenges at local level with a focus on
Farmers - Anupriya Mishra, Shubham Namdeo 79
47 Globalization and climate Interventions - Namrata Patel, Sourabh Dev Pandey 80
48 Climate Justice, Sustainable Development, Institutional Framework and Farmer in India -
Muskan Ochani, Pranati Bhatnagar 81
49 Justice Initiative in India: An Indian Farmer’s story - Shubham Modi, Kusharg Rohan 82
50 Climate, Democracy and Sustainability: Common but Differentiated Responsibility -
Rishi Mishra, Anushree Mishra 82
51 Climate Justice: Effect On Farmers - Muskan Kesharwaani, Pankaj savita 83
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
39
52 Climate Justice: A Holistic Analysis in the Context of Indian Farmers - Isha Kabra 84
53 E-waste in India: Dark side of Digital Revolution - Devita Shah, Neelanjana Paul 85
54 Agriculture Insurance: A Step Towards Climate Justice Initiative - Parminder Kaur,
Khushmani Kaur 86
55 Climate change, Human Rights and Moral Thresholds - Arnaaz Ameer, Noyanika Batta 87
56 Climate injustice for Indian farmers and the international legal framework - Sankalp Srivastava 88
57 Principles of Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, Somali Acharya, Paras Choudhary 88
58 Globalisation and Climate Justice The inevitable interface - Konika Mitra, Nisha Sinha 89
59 Climate Justice, Sustainable Development, Institutional Framework and Farmer in India -
Govind Singh Mohindra, Kshitij Mudgal 90
60 Mitigation of Climate Change and Justice Initiatives for Livestock - Anshul Vijay Belsare 91
61 Climate Justice, Sustainable Development, Institutional Framework and Farmer in India -
Aakash Gakhar, Harimohana N. 92
62 Sustainable Development and Climate Justice in Environmental Law - Nainjyot Gandhi,
Eva Bishwal 93
63 Ensuring the Well Being of Farmers – Initiatives by Government - Astha Chaturvedi 94
64 Demanding Climate Justice: Government’s Role And Participation - Abhas Srivastava,
Shriya Agarwal 95
65 Global warming vis a vis farming rights: A study on the Indian legal framework -
Dr Diganta Biswas, George K Jose 96
66 Re-Worshiping the Environment: India’s Environmental Policies And Climate Justice -
Avnish Oza, Gauri Jasana 96
67 Agricultural Insurance for Ensuring Climate Change Justice in India with Special Reference to
the State of Gujarat - Jagadeesh Chandra T G, Saurabh Anand 97
68 Persistent Climatic Risks, Indian Agriculture and the Innovative Insurance Solutions with Special
Reference to Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme - An Appraisal - Dr.Jyothi Vishwanath 98
69 An Insight Into Agriculture Insurance in India - Vaishnavi Shukla, Shubham Kejriwal 99
70 Agricultural Insurance And Its Role In Mitigating Risks In Farming Industry - Pukhraj Agarwal,
Bharat Rajvanshi 100
71 Climate Change And Agriculture In India - Rushali Srivastava, Spandan Saxena 101
72 Government policies: Are they really effective in curbing pollution - Udit Dhaddha,
Shubhanshu Khandelwal 101
73 Agricultural Insurance and Climate Justice Initiative in India: An Indian Farmer’s Story -
Pratibha Sharma, Sanyami Shah 102
74 Climate Variability And Extremes: Predicting The Future Course of Agriculture In India -
Dr. Rashmi Nagpal 103
75 Climate Change and Its Effect On Indian Economy - Nisarg Shah, Divyam Joshi 103
76 The New Regime for Protection of Framer’s Right: The Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmer’s Rights Act, 2001- Dipali A. Purohit 104
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
40
77 Human rights approaches to Environmental protection - Chetana Rathi, Manish Mulchandani 105
78 Climate Justice: An Initiative And Technical Mechanism - Vidhi Tamakuwala, Kayan Dordi 106
79 International And National Policies For Climate Change And Sustainable Development:
An Analysis With Reference To Livelihood Challenges Of Farmers In South Asian Countries -
Dr. Azim B. Pathan, Manoj Kumar 106
80 Rights Of Farmers India - Umair Multani, Akshay Anand 107
81 Climate Change And Technology Transfer – A Way Towards Mitigation Of Global Warming -
Bhumika Nanda, Jacob George Panickasseril 108
82 Combating Climate Change: A SAARC perspective - Owais Hasan Khan, Anwesha Pal 109
83 The Legal Regime Of Climate Justice - Aishwarya Agarwal, Vimal Jain 110
84 Climate Justice Prerogative: Calling of a Collaborative Effort with Consideration to Agricultural
Sector - Avinash Jain, Narpen Kamboj 110
85 Crop Insurance in India - Dr. Arundhati. P. Dasani 111
86 “Genetically Modified Seeds” - a Challenge to Indian Farmer Community - Krishna Bipin Mehta 112
87 Sustainable Agriculture- whether a social Justice to farmers? - Dr. Paresh D. Dobariya 112
88 Climate Smart Agriculture - Dr. Krupa D.Pandya 113
89 Farmers’ Rights For Plant Varieties: A Need To Avoid Hollow Claims - Dr. Neepa U. Vyas 113
90 National and International Legal Frame Work for Climate Justice - Dr. L.S. Pathak 114
91 The Role Of Women Farmers In Adaptation Measures And Practices For Agriculture To
Climate Change - Rupal Pandya 115
92 Risks Of Climate Change To Development - Malhar Desai, Bharvi Chauhan 116
93 Farmers Right: Issues And Challenges - Dr. Rekha Kumari R. Singh 116
94 Affordability and Enforcement of Agricultural Insurance in India, Analysing the issues and
challenges involved in Contract terms - Anand Kumar Shinde 117
95 Farmers and Farming Systems: Are They Moving in Opposite Direction? - Arun B. Prasad 117
96 Elimination of Space Debris - A Path to ensure safe Space Exploration in Outer Space and
Environment - Kanchan Samtani 118
97 Education & Indian Farmers - Akta Mehta 118
98 Climate Change: Wealth and Wellness of Farmers - Dr. Mariamma A. K. 119
99 Tree Crediting and its potential - Shraddha Dubey 119
100 Agricultural Insurance and Climate Justice Initiatives in India: An Indian Farmer’s Story -
Harshit Rai 120
101 Climate Change and Agriculture: An Impact Study of Farmers in Gujarat - Nimesh P. Bhojak &
Dr. Ashwin Modi 121
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
41
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Patil Vijay Ramchandra
Assistant Professor of Sociology, in D. D. Shinde Sarkar College Kolhapur (Maharashtra)
This paper takes a broader view and explores the multiple effects that global warming and climate change
could have on food production and food security. Dealing with climate change would require strengthening the
resilience of farmers and rural people and help them adapt to the impact of climate change.
Temperature and its associated seasonal patterns are critical components of agricultural production systems.
Rising temperatures associated with climate change will likely have a detrimental impact on crop production,
livestock, fishery and allied sectors. It is predicted that for every 20 C (which has been predicted by 2030) rise
in temperature, the GDP will reduce by 5 per cent. Accelerated warming has already been observed in the recent
period 1971-2007, mainly due to intense warming in the recent decade 1998-2007. This warming is mainly
contributed by the winter and post-monsoon seasons, which have increased by 0.80°C and 0.82°C in the last
hundred years, respectively. The pre-monsoon and monsoon temperatures also indicate a warming trend.
Overall in India, it is predicted that, physical impact of climate change will be seen as (1) an increase in the
average surface temperature by 2-4 degrees C, (2) changes in rainfall (both distribution and frequency) during
both monsoon and non-monsoon months, (3) a decrease in the number of rainy days by more than 15 days, (5)
an increase in the intensity of rain by 1-4mm/day and an (6) increase in the frequency and intensity of cyclonic
storms.
Because of climate change, Indian agriculture is doubly vulnerable. First as around 60 percent of India's total
agricultural areas are rain-fed, it is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts on monsoon. Secondly, more than
80 percent of farmers in India are small and marginal (having less than 1 ha of land) thus having less capacity
to cope with climate change impacts on agriculture. India's 200 backward districts as ranked by the Planning
Commission are distinguished for the large-scale practice of rain-fed agriculture. With the changing food habits
and market conditions, farmers prefer wheat or rice in most parts of the country. In most agro-climatic regions,
farmers have stopped cultivation of millets which are suitable to a particular agro-climatic region. Climate change
is projected to have serious implications for these major crops especially wheat. The studies have already projected
greater losses in Rabi season (e.g. in wheat yield) as compared to Kharif crops.
The key characteristics of Indian agriculture that could influence/increase its vulnerability to climate change
are (i) the high level of subsistence agriculture with small land holdings (ii) majority of agriculture is rain-fed (iii)
frequent occurrence of extreme weather events such as droughts and cyclones (iv) the wide variation in agricultural
productivity across the country.
Climate change will affect different parts of India in different ways. These differences are illustrated by the
fact that, while large areas in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh are frequented by
drought, approximately 40 million hectares of land in the north and north-eastern belt is flood-prone. India may
also be exposed to a greater number of floods due to the intensification of the Indian monsoon.
Food security is the outcome of food production system processes all along the food chain. Climate change
will affect food security through its impacts on all components of global, national and local food production
systems, which is projected to affect all four dimensions of food security, namely food availability; stability of food
supplies; access to food and; food utilization. Existing projections indicate that future populate
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
42
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES IN CLIMATE
JUSTICE INITIATIVES, GUJARAT
Dr. Mina Vyas
Associate Prof., Shri P. K. Choudhri Mahila Arts Collage, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
rajmin29@yahoo.co.in
Global Warming is one of the most burning issues prevailing in the world. Besides, the effects of Climate change
can be seen in the unprecedented heat waves, cyclones, floods, salinisation of the coastline and impact on
agriculture, fisheries and decline in health standards that have been affecting the world at large. In this era of
global warming and climate change, Gujarat as emerged as a model case study on how a committed, pro-active
government can bring about a positive change.
Considering the worst effects of rising global warming in the world, Gujarat has come up with a separate
Department to address the issues of Climate Change.In fact this is the first of its kind initiative in Asia and only
4th State in the world to have a Department for Climate Change!
The Climate Change Department was set up in 2009 and is headed by Shri Narendra Modi. While declaring
the initiative Shri Modi had said "Gujarat government's separate department for climate change will act as a bridge
between government and society to address the issues related to global warming". The initiative is one of the
dream projects of Shri Modi and his views on the same can be read in detail in the book "Convenient Action-
Gujarat's Response to Challenges of Climate Change".
Having launched what was proclaimed to be Asia's first ever dedicated government department for climate
change with great fanfare, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi appears to have lost interest in the subject and
his government has junked the state's Climate Change Action Plan 2012-2017 draft report prepared by The Energy
and Resources Institute (TERI).
While more than 25 states submitted their action plan for the Prime Minister's National Climate Change Action
Plan, Gujarat failed to finalize its plan which was initiated in 2009. The climate change department stands defunct
with staff shifted elsewhere.
Sources said, "Now there is no possibility of the draft plan's approval, as of five years (2012-2017) two are
almost over and the draft needs to be revised accordingly. The high-level committee of secretaries headed by
the chief secretary for finalizing the action plan has avoided discussing this. The draft has been stuck in the
bureaucratic warfare of a few officials. The department has lost direction as the chief minister has stopped taking
interest."
The draft action plan raised serious concern about the likely socio-economic and environmental impact of
climate change on Gujarat, while predicting an adverse impact on agriculture, health and environment. It
recommended huge investment in new infrastructure to mitigate the impact of climate change and also stressed
on radical policy changes in the functioning of the government departments and overall policy changes for
industries and other sectors.
The report noted that in almost all coastal districts, there is a gradual shift in cropping patterns, decline in
area under horticulture and reduction in yields. Lack of fodder has also affected the animal husbandry sector.
It also predicted serious sea level rise, increase in diseases like malaria, gastric problems, fluorosis, kidney stone
and skin ailments.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
43
The draft proposed that the government invest more than Rs 21,000 crore to create environment-friendly
water resource management, public health projects, forest and environment improvement projects, agriculture
improvement projects and a number of studies.
He was releasing Mr. Modi's book on climate change, titled 'Convenient Action: Gujarat's to Challenges of
Climate Change', published by Macmillan Publishers India Ltd, Modi is the second political leader in the world
after former Vice President of USA Al Gore to have written a complete book on climate change. This is his first
book in English.
President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam today complimented Chief Minister Narendra Modi for providing an exemplary
leadership to make Gujarat a carbon-neutral state, through sustainable development and saving wastage of energy
at different levels.
He urged everyone not to let this ecological debt be transferred to the future generations and keep climate
justice in mind in all our actions.
Speaking on the occasion, former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said that climate change is a global cancer
and we must promote clean nation. he said the initiatives enumerated in the book are a beacon of inspiration
as the book shows the way to 'practicable solution' and 'preventing damage to the environment'.
Stressing the need for water conservation, Kalam said that Gujarat is leading by example in agriculture growth
which has exceeded 9 per cent. It did because of farm level water conservation and micro water conservation
that saw 3,50,000 check dams and village ponds being built and which benefited 13 million people of the state.
Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) and Chairman, Noble Laureate
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), who also graced the gujarat, said that 12 countries in the world
are on the verge of becoming failed states due to climate change. If we have a failed state amongst us then no
state can remain immune.
The Climate Group announced that the Government of Gujarat has joined its International States and Regions
Alliance, following the signing of an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at The Vibrant Gujarat Summit.
The partnership will work towards addressing climate change issues in the State of Gujarat through the
preparation of integrated strategies and action plans for energy efficient and climate change resilient development
initiatives.
The three-year MOU was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi, by
Mr Pradeep Singh, Dy Secy, Change Department Secretary and Mark Kenber, CEO, on behalf of The Climate Group.
The Government of Gujarat is the first Indian State to establish a fully-fledged Climate Change Department
(CCD), mandated to develop biomass based and other renewable energy sources, work on CDM issues, coastal
adaptation, combating desertification, capacity building measures and other issues related to climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
Gujarat has already demonstrated commitment to reducing its carbon emissions; through its Jyotigram Yojana
(energy reforms), it was able to reduce the electricity transmission losses (and subsequent GHG production) from
31% to 22% in four years. It is also working on expanding solar power, efficient pumping and LED street lighting.
Mark Kenber, CEO The Climate Group, said: "We are delighted that the Government of Gujarat, a climate
change leader in India, has joined the States and Regions Alliance. The Climate Group has been working in India
since 2008 and in this time we have seen great strides forward in terms of the understanding of climate change
and the country's appetite to build a low carbon industry.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
44
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Climate Change Department Secretary said: "Honourable Chief Minister Mr Modi said
we are very happy to forge a strategic partnership with the international NGO The Climate Group to adapt low
carbon development path for the State of Gujarat."
The States and Regions Alliance core group consists of 23 full members of The Climate Group that share
examples of low carbon best practice and participate in international working groups. The working groups look
at issues including electric vehicle policy, energy efficiency financing, "small caps" green economy, marine energy
technology, joint emissions reporting platforms, and all are open to Gujarat.
Tthe possibility of exclusive use of renewable energy for electricity required by the Municipality for Pumping,
Lighting and Municipality Buildings etc. This can be one of the many first initiatives of the State for Climate Change
mitigation, Gujarat can be the first State in the World to have carbon neutral municipalities by adopting this
practice. Gujarat Government is supporting establishment of renewable energy power plants through Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) based on policies for Solar, Wind, Biomass etc. By development of Carbon Neutral
Towns, Government will further establish an example of Convenient Action for curbing challenges of Climate
Change. Proposed 10 Carbon Neutral towns will require a 1 time expense of about Rs. 75 to 100 Cr., in return
will get assuredsupply of electricity for coming 25 years
POLICY AND SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR FARMERS IN INDIA TO
FIGHT AGAINST ADVERSE
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Prateek Tak
Student, Institute of Law, Nirma University
prateektak059@gmail.com
In scaling economy, one of the biggest problems for the nation is to provide the sustainable environment
so as to enable the farmers to resist the changing pattern in agriculture due to 'global warming' and 'natural
variability'. This variability, in India, has affected the farming to the large extent as majority of Indian farmers,
by default, is not economically and technically empowered to embrace the change in climate and continue to
follow the traditional means of farming which largely depends on Monsoon Fed rain. In last decade and so, there
is unprecedented flux in climate change throughout the world which ranges from excessive drought to surging
flood. And India is no exception to this. India, in last 5 years, has experienced unpredictable monsoon leading
to excess or no rain.
Naturally, these abrupt Climate changes and weather fluctuations has adversely affected the agriculture as
whole which has led to the deterioration in soil, crops, weeds, pest and quality of crops vis-à-vis nutrient
composition. According to the IPCC's (Intergovernmental Penal on Climate Change) Third assessment report,
climate change has and will continue to adversely affect the agriculture, most severely, in developing nations which
raises the alarm for the India. Recent inflation due to price hike in essential commodities like onion, potatoes
or wheat is direct result of climate change.
Now what can be done to deal with these changes? In India, normally farming suffers from less production
per hectare as comparison to various developed European nations and US. So the first problem in Agriculture
is Farming in small segments or at small scale. To resolve this problem, policy for Mutual Benefit assistance should
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
45
be framed between Government and the farmers. Addition to this, strict adherence to the sustainable means
should be adopted by the farmers. But this is possible only through the financial support from government and
other institutions in Agriculture field. Secondly, Farming in these days is not the lucrative choice for youth to opt
for. So, this is second problem. This problem can only be resolved by proper education about the scope, guarantee
and money in farming. So such environment should be created where Farming becomes a profitable income source
which could provide status and dignity to farmers. This can be done only through education and new policies
which are especially framed for ground/zero level. And for implementing these policies special 'Farming Schools
and Universities' should be opened.
CLIMATE JUSTICE: EQUITY AND JUSTICE INFORMING A NEW
CLIMATE AGREEMENT
Upmanyu Bhaumik & Parth Mishra
Student, ICFAI Law School, Dehradun
upmanyu94@gmail.com
This paper will explore the role of equity in the climate negotiations. It establishes why climate change is
an issue of injustice by examining the environmental challenges posed by climate change and links those challenges
to socio-ecological and economic systems that undermine the rights of people, especially the poor, marginalized,
and vulnerable.
The paper will then analyze the role of justice and equity in designing a new climate agreement by looking
at how equity has been treated to now in the climate negotiations. It examines several perspectives on key equity
issues to highlight those issues that must be addressed in the new agreement.
The paper will be concluded by exploring the potential of climate justice narratives in mobilizing domestic
constituencies of demand for climate action. The authors will suggest a variety of constituencies that can use
climate justice narratives and how similar narratives have been used in other social movements.
Keywords: Climate, Environment, Economic System
"CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE" FOR ORANGES (MANDARIN),
IN NAGPUR DISTRICT
Dr. Jyotsna S. Deshpande
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SHRI BINZANI CITY COLLEGE, NAGPUR
jyotsna_deshpande@yahoo.co.in
Introduction
The topic of agro-climatic planning has become important particularly due to the allegation on green
revolution that it has aggravated the inter-regional income disparities. The main cash crops of the Vidarbha region
are cotton, oranges and soya beans. Recently Vidarbha region has become infamous for occurrence of large number
of farmer suicides.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
46
In this paper we, therefore look at the root causes of farmer suicides in Vidarbha, importance of climate smart
agriculture for Orange in Nagpur districts, establish a better model for orange and its medicinal value for climate
smart agriculture.
Climate-smart agriculture is a pathway towards development and Food security built on three pillars:
How do we achieve it?
1. Working at the landscape level with an ecosystems approach.
2. Institutional and financial support is needed for farmers and investments in building the knowledge base and
developing technology.
3. Investments in climate-smart agriculture must link finance opportunities from public and private sectors.
Objectives
1. To study the economic condition of farmers who grow orange fruits in Nagpur district.
2. To study the cost of production of citrus.
3. To study the price of production.
4. To study the socio economic condition of farmers.
5. To study the farmers suicides in Nagpur district.
6. To study the supporting global, regional and local climate change.
7. To study the local national and international policy development for climate change.
8. To study the initiating lesson-learning and capacity building processes.
Factors affecting remuneration of farmers:
Lab to land:
The cultivability of land can be understood by having full knowledge of the fertilizers used in farming as
researched in the laboratory.
Old is Gold:
Use of traditional farming method and to reduce the practice of utilizing pesticides should be stressed upon.
Forest to Farm:
The theory of Marginal productivity applies to farming as well. The agricultural land should not be considered
as a factory but instead be cared as a living thing.
More power to farmers:
Farmers are dependent on nature and monsoons. While on the other hand, it is not on them to decide the
market price of the product. For such reasons; they become helpless and are not left with no other option but
suicide.
Inspiration from Gujarat Model:
Maharashtra can be inspired from the Gujarat Model and remolded as per the requirements of agricultural
practices.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
47
REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE, LIVELIHOOD, AGRICULTURE AND
AWARENESS
Sibananda Senapati
Assistant Professor (Economics)
Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna
s.senapati@cimp.ac.in
Climate change varies significantly across the region. India is a vast country having differences in geography
and largest coastline of more than 8000 km long. The east coast line differs from west coast line in terms of
economic activities, tourism and the economic condition of the people living in the region. Fisheries and agriculture
are the major activities for coastal population in India. However over the years there is a drastic change in climate.
Change in rainfall pattern (less rain in June-July and more and indecent rain in the latter period of the year), flood,
cyclone, drought and other extreme weather events are also becoming more frequent. Agriculture and fisheries
based livelihood are often affected. On the other hand there is no strong policy to deal with climate change, the
awareness on climate change and adaptation is minimal. If we take the example of cyclone Phailin that crossed
Odisha coast in October 2013 affecting the livelihoods of poor farmers in terms of destroying their agricultural
field, destroying fishing materials, damaged to house. The State government took measures and able to save the
lives of people but the livelihoods of thousand are destroyed. The climate change impact assessment studies in
India generally focused on macro level issues. The State of Bihar is another highly vulnerable region to natural
disasters. The state is located almost in the middle of the Gangetic Plain. During the monsoon season, many parts
of the state got flooded due to the excessive carrying capacity of rivers. Although Bihar government has taken
several initiatives for the development of local and vulnerable people like; Bihar rural livelihood project, the existing
climate change prediction shows worried result for the state. The incidence of warming and drought will occur
in many parts of the state. There is also lack of studies based on climate change impact, vulnerability and adaptation
for the state. Flood and drought are main factors increasing vulnerability of poor people living in rural areas and
villages in the country. This study is an attempt to establish a link between the existing government effort to
enhance livelihood of poor as well as individual effort and climate change adaptation. The study is basically based
on review of government policies and other literatures. A case study from Bihar agriculture is also addressed in
this paper.
MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE IN CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE:
ISSUES OF LIVELIHOOD SUSTAINABILITY IN SIKKIM
Suman Ghimiray & Bipul Chhetri
Research Scholar, Sikkim University
lingseysuman@gmail.com
Agriculture production is the outcome of interaction of set of biophysical condition and the human interaction.
This interaction results in production of food grains needed by the large section of the society. All these interactions
take in a broad spectrum of so called 'climate'. The role of climate forms the base for all forms of human activity
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
48
and slight changes in its natural pattern may have serious implication on the society at large. Today the mountain
societies have come under the clutch of climate change. The most visible area of impact of climate change in
the mountain is the agriculture. The fragile mountain ecology is highly vulnerable to different forms of catastrophes.
Climate change exposes large section of the mountain society to these forms of catastrophes. Different forms
of vulnerabilities to which the mountain population is exposed are flashfloods, earthquakes, landslides, GLOFs etc.
The effect of climate change may have several cascading effects on the agricultural practices and the livelihoods
of the mountain population. Besides this the problem of food insecurity is most likely to have its impact on human
population. The solutions to all these problems lies in knowing the outcome of such threats beforehand and adapt
ourselves with the changing environmental conditions . The paper focuses the problems of mountain agriculture
and relates the issues of climate change and growing population and tries to relate some of the problems of Sikkim
in context of climate change. The literature available in different text has been used for understanding the problems
of climate change in hill environment and the application of statistical tool for various quantitative figures has
been made for clear understanding of the phenomena.
Keywords: Agriculture, Mountain Livelihoods, Climate Change
RIGHT TO ENVIRONMENT AND JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT
Seyon R
Advocate & President, Mayiladuthurai Bar Association, Mayiladuthurai
rseyon@ymail.com
The environment furnishes all the essentials for life and so there has been a close link between the
environment and human beings. The healthy living and survival of man depends on how judiciously he manages
the natural resources of earth including the air, water, land, flora, fauna..., and thus maintains the quality of overall
environment around him. The Supreme Court at the apex has evolved green jurisprudence ensuring environmental
justice. Once it is established that, the right to environment is one of the attributes of right to life under Article
21 of the Constitution and therefore, a fundamental right guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution of India,
there remains no doubt that the right to environment like other fundamental rights is enforceable against the
State as defined by Article 12. A law inconsistent or in derogation of any fundamental right is void by virtue of
Article 13 of the Constitution.
By defining the state and law very widely, the founding fathers ensured that fundamental rights operated
over the widest field. The declaration in the Article 13(1) and (2) making laws consistent with, or contrary to,
fundamental rights pro tanto void would not, by itself, prevent the State from violating fundamental rights, the
founding fathers created a new fundamental right by enacting Article 32, which guaranteed the right to move
the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
Fundamental rights have got special status in the scheme of the Constitution and they are, a few exceptions,
available to the individuals to protect themselves against the State action. These rights are not meant to protect
persons against the conduct of private persons. Private action is and can be taken care of by the ordinary law
of the land. It is against the might of the State that the individual needs Constitutional protection. The right to
life is available to the individuals to protect themselves against the State action.
Article 12 of the Constitution defines the term State which includes the Government and Parliament of India;
the Government and legislatures of each of the States; all local authorities; and other authorities within the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
49
territory of India or under the control of the Government of India. Other authorities will include all Constitutional
or statutory authorities on whom powers are conferred by law, such as statutory corporations or public
corporations.
This paper gives an account of the attitude of the Indian judiciary towards environmental protection, the rules
and the principles formulated by the Indian Court and the interpretation of the existing statutory provision to
resolve environmental matters and ensure environmental justice. As Justice A.S.Anand said: "... the Supreme Court
is the Custodian of the Indian Constitution and exercises judicial control over the acts of both the legislature and
the executive. The conclusion is an assessment of the Indian experience in Judicial enforcement and protection
of environmental rights.
UNDERSTANDING INDIGENOUS FARMING TECHNIQUES AND
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN AGRICULTURE AS
THE LINK BETWEEN THE FOOD-CLIMATE NEXUS AND
INTERNATIONAL LAW
Ipshita Chaturvedi
ipshitachaturvedi@gmail.com
Traditional farming, fishing, herding and forestry are based on long-established knowledge and practices that
help to ensure food and agricultural diversity, especially biodiversity in genetic resources which is pivotal for
sustainable agriculture, livelihoods and land use. The role of traditional knowledge in farming techniques has bigger
relevance now than ever. Indigenous farming using the ecological approach cuts through many thematic areas
and has been widely recognized by international law through ratified conventions. The Convention on Biological
Diversity, the United Nations University's ongoing research and most importantly, the Food and Agriculture
Organisation have recognized the links between traditional knowledge of farmers and food security as well as
climate change mitigation and adaption techniques. Many farmers have generated TK related to plant and crop
varieties, animal breeds and wild species as well as vast knowledge in variations of climate and weather. There
is an upsurge in the international community collating and protecting such knowledge, especially community-based
monitoring programmes and protocols.
This paper advocates the usage of indigenous farming techniques by pointing out that TK is better protected
under auspices of international law (CBD + Nagoya Protocol, FAO) and discusses these principles. The paper also
discusses the zero-draft of the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (June 2014) to state that protecting and
advocating traditional farming techniques would address multiple goals, cross-cut several thematic areas while
providing farmers an increased international legal protection and mainstreaming their concerns into international
policy by promoting sustainable agriculture and livelihoods.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
50
ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS: INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
Akanksha Singhal & Swati sharma
Student, I.C.F.A.I University,Faculty of Law, Dehradun
akki.akanksha21@gmail.com
sharma.swati199261@gmail.com
The protection and preservation of environment is an integral to the culture and religion of most human
communities; nature is seen as an essential part of the society at large. India have significant human rights problems
despite making commitments to tackle them. Environmental problems that jeopardize the health of human
increasingly implicate concerns that have played an important role in the development of human rights. Even the
judiciary have expanded the constitutional meaning of "Right to life" to include environmental protection. It is
important to draw linkage between environment and human rights to further build bridges between legislations
relating to the two which further helps in contribution to the present laws surrounding the protection of
environment in India. "What justice is being done to the future generation?". "How empowering communities
are helping to protect their health and environment?". The environmental standards can be expected to improve
significantly in developing world as countries devote gretaer effort to upgrade their legal and technological
infrastructures to prevent environmental harm. It further evaluates how far the mechanism of human rights is
helpful to provide remedies to the victim of environmental degradation and to provide better protection to the
global environment to promote a healthier planet with greater respect for human rights.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Dr. P. P. Waghmare
Assistant Professor in Law, M.S.P. Mandals Law College, Beed
pramodwaghmare23@gmail.com
The Climate hazards exacerbate other stressors especially for people living in poverty. Sustainable development
and equity provides a basis for assessing climate policies. The Farmers face a large problems and livelihood
challenges at the regional level. The national and international legal framework is already present but they have
their own limitations for the enforcement of the laws.
Farmers tackle more problems in the interpretation of laws such as the water (Prevention and control) Act
1974, The Air Act, The Environmental Protection Act and The plant Protection Act which is more crucial for the
Farmers. The farmers in India have to understand the changing nature of the environment and there by adapt
the new technologies so as to cope with the new challenges. For all these the farmers must be ready to work
on practical action such as working with communities, organizations, national and international bodies with schools
and teachers and also to launch and supporting campaigns.
Key words : Climate justice, Plant protection Act, Laws, Farmers.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
51
UNEQUAL BURDEN OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS:
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
Swati Saini
MPhil Student, International Organisation, Centre for International Politics, Organisation, and
Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
swati_saini@outlook.com
Climate change is not a new phenomenon, however the pace of such change in climate in the 21st century
is a dangerous risk alerting alarm. Type of development pattern followed by many developed countries in 19th
century is imitated by the developing part of globe. However not all section of society is benefiting from such
growth based development rather severely facing the heat of such development and climate change is one of
the hard heated facet. Climate justice is the need of hour to alleviate the unequal burdens created by climate
change. This paper tries to answer Why farmer class is worst affected by climate change and what are the problems
faced by such section of society. How far the international legal framework were able to include this section of
society in the much hyped concept of sustainable development. What national policies has taken so far and its
assessment. Farmer class in United states is not at par with the farmer in Asian countries where agriculture is
a major sector of the economy and ultimate subsistence way of the livelihood of farmers therefore this study
confined to the India.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS AND SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOOD
Jeyamohan K.
Student, Saveetha School of Law, Chennai.
vkjeyamohan@gmail.com
In the words of Al Gore, "As human beings, we are vulnerable to confusing the unprecedented with the
improbable. In our everyday experience, if something has never happened before, we are generally safe in
assuming it is not going to happen in the future, but the exceptions can kill you and climate change is one of
those exceptions" Drafting of strategies to survive the adverse effects caused due to climatic changes is the need
of the hour. It is arguably the biggest threat humans are facing in the real life today. Particularly In recent days
the concept of climate changes has gained huge momentum due to inadvertent anthropogenic disturbances.
Climatic changes has made huge impacts on various fields all over the world among which agriculture is considered
to be one of the most important because climate is one of the main determinants of agricultural production.
These impacts of climatic change on agriculture, if it continues at this rate it may result in lack of food security
leaving the whole nation in peril. It has also caused some drastic changes in the lives of farmers as it is a well
known fact that India is an agricultural country, where 70 per cent population is dependent on agriculture. Farmer's
suicide is a matter of significant concern and controversy in India to various reasons like interpersonal and family
problems, financial difficulties, and pre-existing mental illness. All these are caused due to various impacts such
as population pressure, scrappy land possessions, derisory irrigation amenities, depleted soil, credit related issues,
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
52
marketing related issues, giant corporate interferences, difficulty of farming in semi arid regions, poor agriculture
income, dearth of alternate income prospects and absence of suitable consultant services. All the above factors
invariably affect the livelihood of farmers and also hinder their sustainable development. In my paper i have
explained about all these aspects in detail with respective solutions. In my study the Socio-economic aspects of
climate change are relatively weak, and future scenarios are to be generated for various agro-ecological regions
for subsequently linking with other relational layers to work out the impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND CONSEQUENCES OF TEXTILE
DYEING INDUSTRIES IN TAMILNADU WITH A FOCUS ON ITS
IMPACT ON FARMERS AND AGRICULTURE
Raghunatha Sethupathy
Student, Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Delhi University
raghunathasethupathy@gmail.com
Textile dyeing industry is one of the major water consuming and high polluting industries in India. The effluent
in higher concentration not only affects the soil but also causes heavy damage to crops growth conditions. Even
though dye industry effluent can be treated with Cyanobacteria for removing colour and other nutrients, still the
industries are negligent in taking steps for this kind of measure. This paper critically analyses water pollution
problems and its impact on agriculture in TamilNadu, India. The present investigation shows that a constant
variation in different parameters in different locations. So it is highly important to take periodical monitoring of
the water quality in certain regions of TamilNadu for future sustainability.
In order to protect the river and the groundwater, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) have directed
all the dyeing units to provide Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant with Reject Management System (RMS) and recycle
the entire treated effluent so as to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD). The present study is focused on to find
out the impacts of Textile Dyeing industries on environment and farmers. The farmers who have been affected
by these effluents have expressed their willingness to pay for internalizing the pollution effects even though it
is mainly the duty of the polluters. The study has found that even though a lot has been done to reduce pollution
load in water bodies, more work needs to be done both in terms of policy and implementation.
THEORIZING CLIMATE JUSTICE TO ADDRESSING PRACTICAL
CHALLENGES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Aparna vijayan
apuv1210@gmail.com
At a time when the contemporary environmental literature is striving at a faster pace than ever before to
evolve out of its conventional wont of focusing on ideological niceties and theoretical concepts, into concrete
legislations of prime importance for climate change, we must not forget to channelize our debates and
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
53
deliberations on the pre-legislative aspects dealing with the same. The pre-legislative aspects calls for thorough
comprehension of the socio-political and economic as well as cultural dimensions associated with a certain decision
that can have a grave impact on the environment and its future.
In the light of environmental contingencies that have subsumed us, it becomes significant to reflect and go
back to the effects laws, legislations, policy analysis, discussions on climate changes have on the grassroot-
functioning, here, the livelihood of farmers and their sustenance. This paper intends not just to critically analyze
the plain structural and institutional organs functioning in various sectors directly or indirectly connected to the
environment; but also to bring to notice the much poised social, anthropological economic and cultural sides to
the issue of sustainable development and assurance of a better environment for people to flourish.
This paper focuses on the evaluation of susbstantiveness of the nuclear power and energy sectors in the society
that has immensely lead to and can lead to depletion and erosion of the social fabric at the local levels, with
the evils weighing higher in the cost and benefit balance. Taking into consideration a small village named Mithivirdi,
which has received the Government's CRZ clearance, the paper will manifest a detailed analysis of the famers'
livelihood and their various spectrums of their existence in that plateau which might receive a 6000MW nuclear
power plant in future. The excruciating decline of fertility , the inconsiderate decay of oceanic species nearby ,
the avoidance of advantaging from renewable resources and a a whole whorl of issues related to sustainability
are meticulously studied to present a coherent and cogent conception of the destruction of the grassroots , which
has been escalating to reach a global crescendo of stagnation and apathy.
It thus tries to ameliorate the pressing problems of society which in turn links itself to other issues like
"sustainability as an imperative, rather than an option", and "extent of public engagement, people's participation
and increasing the ability of feedback mechanism in the society to fight against crises in future.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE OVER ENVIRONMENT AND
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF
SUNDARBAN'S COMMUNITY OF WEST BENGAL
Nilay Banarjee - Student, Masters of Rural Development and Management, Department of
Rural Development Management, University of Kalyani, West Bengal
deepthesinner29592@gmail.com
Koustab Majumdar - Student, Masters of Rural Development and Management, Department of
Rural Development Management, University of Kalyani, West Bengal
koustab3662@gmail.com
Pradipta Dubey - University Research Scholar, Department of Rural Development and
Management University of Kalyani, West Bengal,
pradipta.dubey@gmail.com
Climate change is a source of concern to both developed and developing worlds in recent times. It has led
to changes in temperature, precipitations and frequent extreme weather events. Reports of climate change from
within the Sundarbans have tended to fall into certain specific areas. Broadly, these are changes in rainfall, changes
in fishing patterns, rise in sea level, frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, and heightened land
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
54
erosion. These were the recurrent issues, and we concentrated on them, since they had the maximum impact
on the lives and livelihood of the people as well as environmental sustainability. Whereas, soil loss which is a
major cause of decline in agriculture production in Sundarban may be further aggravate by climate change. Hence
the agricultural sector is expected to experience a significant impact as climate induced floods, generated by excess
water, continue to increase in frequency and extent. There has been a steady increase in climate induced extreme
events in Sundarban. Increasing soil salinity and environmental hazards resulting only three months of agricultural
work lead towards changing pattern of livelihood i.e. the community members are used to migrate as unskilled
labour around India for their sustainability. While there is increasing attention of environmental hazards, social
vulnerability and destruction of sustainable livelihood within the climate change debate, vulnerability of already
moving populations are most often ignored over the Sundarban's community.
This study is undertaken in Higalganj block of North 24 Parganas in Sundarban, West Bengal. This paper seeks
to find out the impact of changing climate over the environmental sustainability and sustainable livelihood and
also presents some thoughts departing from initial findings from the case study on migrant seasonal farm workers
in Sundarban.
Key words: Climate change, Environmental Vulnerability, Changing livelihood pattern, Seasonal farm worker
IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION ON SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOOD AMONG THE TRIBAL AND NON-TRIBAL FARMERS OF
SABARKANTHA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT STATE
Mayur Prajapati - Ph.D. Student (Agril. Extension), C. P. College of Agriculture,
S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar
K.D.Solanki - Associate Extension Educationist, Directorate of Extension Education,
S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar
K.A.Thakkar - Director of Extension Education, Directorate of Extension Education,
7810011S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar
mayurext@gmail.com
The Sustainable Livelihood links with security to basic human needs, food security, sustainable agricultural
practices and poverty as an integrating concept. A large number of tribal communities are bereft of stable livelihood
and thus they fall in the category of the vulnerable section of Indian society. Considering this fact, the study was
conducted in Sabarkantha district of North Gujarat region of Gujarat state, as the economy of the district is basically
dependent on agriculture. The farmers of Sabarkantha district are also innovative as well as enthusiastic in modern
agriculture. Secondly the districts rank first with respect to the tribal population. Looking to the common situation
of the in habited villages for the tribal and non-tribal farmer, 11 villages of Bhiloda and Meghraj talukas, having
scheduled tribal population of 41-50 range of percentage were selected purposively. Total 220 farmers were
selected from these villages (20 farmers in each village). For measuring the agricultural modernization and
sustainable livelihood of the tribal and non tribal farmer's teacher made tests were developed. The thirteen major
criteria of agricultural modernization and 12 sub indicators of sustainable livelihood were determined and total
200 score of agricultural modernization and total 300 score of sustainable livelihood was determined by conference
method. The results showed that in case of tribal group, there was positively and significant association between
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
55
the sustainable livelihood and seven criteria for agricultural modernization viz., extent of use of organic fertilizers,
farming pattern, seed selection, available modern sources of energy equipments, extent of use of chemical
fertilizers, use of plant protection measures and extent of use of improved dairy practices. While in case of non
tribal group, all the 13 criteria of agricultural modernization studied were possessed positive and significant
association with sustainable livelihood. It was indicated the impact of the agricultural modernization on the extent
of sustainable livelihood among the non tribal respondents, while it was very low in tribal farmers.
CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE:
CONFLICTS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Neeraj Mandaiya & Ayush Sahay
Student, Gujarat National Law University
neerajmandaiya@gmail.com
Two factors complicate the analysis. First, while the state of the science is indisputable in some areas, much
remains to be done. Shaping trade policies, as well as climate mitigation and adaptation measures, will call for
a good deal more analytical precision than has ever previously been employed. This is an area where models build
on other models, both in the international trade and in the international climate context.
Second, the role of trade measures in the context of international negotiations on climate change stabilization
is unclear. While some refer to trade measures as a useful incentive to promote adherence to climate goals, others
see them as a potential threat to mutually agreed climate solutions.
The objectives of the current trade negotiations in the realm of agriculture - reducing and eventually
eliminating tariffs, phasing out export subsidies and trade-distorting domestic support - would also serve the
climate change agenda well. Yet, many issues would need to be resolved in order for the negotiations to yield
climate-friendly results.
Considering the predictions that developing countries will experience particularly severe effects from climate
change, it could be argued that lower tariffs in these countries would be consistent with climate change adaptation.
As North-South trade in agricultural products is likely to become important for food security, this should be enabled
without high costs in the form of agricultural tariffs. Issues surrounding developing country tariffs and import
safeguards are highly controversial, however.
The paper deals with the key trade issues in the ongoing negotiations addressing agriculture as a sectoral
approach to mitigation in the international climate change regime. While there is widespread agreement on the
potential benefits of bringing agriculture into the regime, a number of important sticking points need resolution
before such a step will be possible. Trade-related issues are some of the most significant. This paper starts by
briefly laying out the background, noting the rationale and negotiating history to date. It then surveys the state
of play, unpacking and analyzing the key issues and bringing to bear the history of trade law and policy to explain
the lack of progress to date. It finishes by considering where we might go from here.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
56
RULES-REGULATION AND LAWS RELATED AGRICULTURE AND ENVI-
RONMENT & ITS IMPLEMENTATION
K.Archana
Student, Saveetha School of Law
archanaanil93@gmail.com
Climate change is one of the many serious environmental problems that the world faces today. Climate change
impacts are already affecting people and the planet. And the science shows it will get far worse. The biggest impacts
will be on the lives and livelihoods of the poor and developing countries, especially small island states. Abnormal
change in season cycles, acid rain, loss of soil fertility, species extinction etc are a part of climate change. It has
a direct impact on the lives of farmers. Climate justice identifies climate change as an ethical issue, examining
equality, human rights, collective rights & historical responsibility in relation to climate change. In order to cope
up with the climate change, many treaties, conventions protocols etc have been in to force. Apart from these,
there are many national laws to protect and preserve the environment from the harmful impacts of climate change.
There have also been establishment of many national and international organisations and institutions for the
purpose of implementation of the treaties, conventions, protocols and other laws. International covenant on
biodiversity is considered to a landmark covenant which provided for the protection of environment, prevention
of all kinds of activities harming the environment & preservation of environment in all aspects. The covenant also
paved way for the enactment of many other international & national rules & regulations. But the question arises
whether all these measures taken in order to protect the environment were effectively and efficiently implemented.
The answer can be, to an extent they are implemented. The problem is with every individual, but not the governing
bodies alone. It should be the responsibility of each and every individual to protect the environment not only
because it's the rule, but because it's our environment and it's our responsibility to protect & preserve the same.
CLIMATE CHANGE, LOSS OF LIVELIHOOD OF FARMERS AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
Dr. Achyutananda Mishra
Assistant Professor, Faculty of law
ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad
achyutanandamishra@yahoo.in
Climate change has become real and irreversible due mindless human activities, development process and
inequitable consumption pattern of human being. Male Declaration on Human Dimension of Global Climate
Change, 2007 is stark reminder of the effect of climate change and a timely response to it which accepted that
climate change is unequivocal and accelerating, and that mitigation of emissions and adaptation to climate change
impacts is physically and economically feasible if urgent action is taken. It has deleterious effect on natural and
human system, economies and infrastructure, social, economic and cultural life of man and society all over the
world. Negative impact of it has already been experienced world over by the change in rainfall pattern and
increased temperature leading to global warming. The hardest hit victims of it are the poor and farmers, who
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
57
have least contribution to it. Agriculture and climate are interrelated and any change in climate will have direct
impact on agriculture and global worming has started taking its toll so far as agriculture is concerned. Climate
change impact the agricultural sector in multiple ways, like increased variability with regard to temperature, rain,
frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, changes in rain patterns and in water availability etc.
According one report the mean annual temperature across the country is projected to increase between 0.9
and 1.10 C by the year 2030 resulting in frequency and intensity of the drought threatening the rural farming
communities and their source of livelihood. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its first report (1992)
highlighted it and observed: "Sufficient evidence is now available from a variety of different studies to indicate
that changes of climate would have an important effect on agriculture…"
Climate change straight way affect the agriculture and farming sector leading to loss of livelihood of farmers.
Loss of livelihood is a direct infringement of basic right to life of man. So, although not directly but indirectly
climate change is affecting the human rights of farmers across the globe.
In this perspective this paper intends to discuss the issue of climate change and its relationship with agriculture
and human right to livelihood of farmers.
IMPACT OF RAINFALL VARIABILITY AND OTHER FARM FACTORS
ON RURAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME: A MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS FOR
SELECT DISTRICTS OF GUJARAT.
Meeta Goel - PhD Scholar, CEPT University
Anand Patwardhan
meetagoel@gmail.com
Research suggests that one of the ways climate change will manifest itself will be increased climate variability.
In Indian context, it indicates an increase in monsoon variability. With agriculture forming 14% of the national
GDP and more than half of the country's population directly dependent on the agriculture sector for their
livelihoods, this will have serious implications for national economy and also livelihoods as almost half of
agricultural area in India is rain-fed and monsoon dependent.
Increased variability in monsoon also means increased livelihood risk for the farmers and those who are
directly dependent upon agriculture for income. The small and marginal farmers become specifically more
vulnerable because of higher cost of cultivation, lack of access to credit, limited access to information, poorer
access to 'public goods' such as public irrigation and greater negative externalities from poor quality land and
water management. The livelihood risk for farmers comes from two sources: yield variability and price volatility.
The yield is determined by amount of rainfall, lack of inputs, crop diseases, irrigation support and pest attacks.
Price fluctuations are a play of supply shocks, trade imbalances and policy changes. Hence, at the local level, both
factors are responsible in determining farmer's income. Using household income at taluka level as a proxy indicator
for farmer livelihood, this paper attempts to decompose the farm revenue into rainfall variability, yield, crop
composition and prices. Selecting a few talukas with high concentration of small and marginal farmers, the study
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
58
analyses the relationship between rural household income and farm factors stated above. The analysis looks into
the impact of rainfall on yield and also on income. It further reiterates that though rainfall is a single largest factor
that affects the household income in rural areas where majority of population is involved in agriculture, but other
farm factors also have their share of impact on yield and income.
The paper indicates important factor that define vulnerability of small and marginal farmers which can be
helpful for policy makers and also for the farmers at local level.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FARMERS AND SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOOD
Sakshi Sharma & Alaukik Shrivastava
Student, Institute of Law, Nirma University
12bll061@nirmauni.ac.in
India is a huge country and is home to a billion plus population with a variety of climatic conditions and
topographical features. Agriculture provides the fundamental means of livelihood for the major Indian population,
especially to the vast rural areas which are engaged in the agrarian sector and thus India's economy to a large
extent depends on the agricultural sector.
The paper lays essence on understanding the concept of climate change and its multiple effects on agriculture
and food security. The research takes a deep insight into how the challenges posed by climate change can be
dealt by the farmers to ensure food security. The authors also explore the various government support schemes,
policies, and international conventions that endeavour to meet these challenges.
Climate change will have subtle impacts in a wide range of sectors. Agriculture will be one of the sectors
that will be gravely hit by adverse climate conditions, since agricultural production in India is extremely sensitive
to wet and dry spells, heat and cold waves, etc. It is important to understand that agriculture plays a dual role
in climate change: firstly, it is severely affected by climate change; secondly it is a notable contributor to greenhouse
gas emissions.
This paper considers the necessary adaptation measures including changes needed for mitigation to improve
agriculture sector in India. The research lays emphasis on the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) as defined
and presented by FAO at the Hague Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change in 2010.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
59
RULES-REGULATION AND LAWS RELATED AGRICULTURE AND
ENVIRONMENT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION
Mukta Singh - Assistant Professor of Law, University of Allahabad, U.P.
Dr. Pawan Kumar - Associate Professor of Law, Regional Campus Gurdaspur,
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Pb.
muktas057@gmail.com
Food is the basic necessity of human. Food is major agriculture produce. Agriculture production need to
growing need of rising population. Environmental factors effecting the production of agriculture produce . Some
factors as climate change, soil erosion, nutrient leaching from the adjoining forest are some of the problem facing
in northern Orissa, Jharkhand, eastern Chhattisgarh. Several food laws are there which control the keeping quality
of food and food products and its production, processing. Food and Agricultural Organization , World Health
Organizations, food safety and standard authority of India Act, 2011, Right to Food, Food Security Act 2013,
Fundamental Rights, Directive Principle of state policy, Essential commodity act, Prevention of food adulteration
act, Indian Standard institute, Agmark, B.I.S., F.P.O., World Trade Organization, Intellectual Property Rights Codex
Alimentarious are some food laws rule and regulation to maintain standard of food and its products. Agreement
on Sanitary, Phyto Sanitary measures, Agreement on technical barriers to trade, World bank, World food council
are some regulation apply on agriculture produce for export and import. Climate change effect agricultural
production, crop-cycle, flowering time, decreasing water level, soil erosion. Global warming effecting the crop
production as soya bean and wheat. UNEP, United Nation, UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Bali agreement, Rio
Convention, Carbon Dioxide emission , Green House Gas emission Forest Act, wild life protection act are some
law to protect environment. Present research paper focus on the climate change and its impact on food security
and agriculture produce. There is need of FSSAI, Green house Gas emission, climate change, Kyoto protocol, carbon
gas emission to secure food security Act, Right to Food. There is need of climate change mitigation with sustainable
development. Food security, hunger, malnutrition can not be solve until and unless employment, poverty
eradication and food is in reach of consumer . There is a need of agriculture production by combating climate
change mitigation and to educate to farmers to .
Key words- FSSAI, UNEP, UN, UNFCCC, B.I.S.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
60
CAPACITY BUILDING, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & ADAPTATION
MEASURES IN INDIA TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
AND ITS COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH OTHER LIKE MINDED
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (LMDC)
Chiradeep Basak
chiradeep@nls.ac.in
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime
"The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all. It is the healer and restorer
and resurrector, by which disease passes into health, age into youth, death into life. Without proper
care for it we can have no community, because without proper care for it we can have no life."
– Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture
There is no doubt that Climate Change poses a greater threat to our ecosystem. The science behind this
position is very clear now. It's apparent that issues as regards Climate Change have been deliberated at several
stages of legal frameworks. Right from the global frame of United Nations Framework on Climate Change to
regional frame of European Union and now the domestic legislative structure somehow attempts to address the
issues with respect of Climate Change. Now the question arises, if there is any issue in the first place? If so, what
are those elements to address them?
There is no doubt that the cardinal principles of Climate Change encompasses within itself an enormous
databank of activities, initiatives, measures undertaken to respond certain genuine crisis which is an outcome of
certain practices by developed states for quite a long period of time.
From there emerged the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) which justified a
common concern that we (group of nations) share and common responsibility in order to protect, preserver and
conserve the essence of it. The brunt has to be borne by the developed nations in fixing the damages they have
done. Hence, the researcher intends to take this principle a starting point and link the same to some of the major
elements of Climate Change i.e. capacity building, adaptation & technology transfer.
Aim:
To delve in to the legal schematics of access to technological knowhow and capacity building for Indian Farmers
in order to combat Climate Change impacts within the dome of Indian Agricultural & Climate Laws and set a better
benchmark by drawing inspiration from comparative analysis of certain good practices in other developing
countries (LMDC).
Objective:
To look into the major concerns, challenges and legal safeguards to ensure better mechanism for Indian
Farmers to get the maximum access and benefit out of the aforementioned elements of climate change
negotiations;
The study will also relate the impact (crops, fisheries & livestock) of Climate Change on Indian Agriculture
and Food Supply and how far the element of capacity building and information sharing can ensure a better
productivity as well as livelihood & how far, law can answer these issues in the current Climate Change framework.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
61
Hypothesis:
Agriculture is highly reliant upon climatic conditions and initiatives against ecological degradation need sincere
assistance and attention from humans. However, only anthropocentric approach (Life and livelihood) will not pass
muster but a symbiotic relationship of ecology and humans can lead us to a better sustainable future. This is only
possible by means of a common but differentiated responsibility in sharing the concern and enabling the needy
with sufficient support to abhor any further irreparable damage to ecosystem as well as Human health and ensure
a better livelihood for farmers (not just Indian Farmers)
The researcher wish to reserve the research questions for full paper because he is in the process of improving
upon the same.
Scope:
This is a doctrinal legal research and the researcher intends to single out the practices of states coming under
the umbrella of LMDCs and wish to compare the same with Indian Agriculture in an analytical fashion. The paper
will conclude with a core set of recommendations and suggestions in order to answer the research problem.
STRENGTHENING CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVES
Abhijeet Andrews & Pravin Sankalp
FOL, IFHE Hyderabad
pravinsankalp23@gmail.com
Human beings inquisitive nature seems to be the sole reason for the impending disaster that awaits the planet.
For the sake of development, Humans have laid waste to the fragile ecosystem with scant regard to the
ramifications of such actions. For long environmentalist have been stating the need to respect the environment
and establish an effective mechanism so as to ensure stability of the planet. However naysayers have continuously
claimed climate change is a work of fiction, with little or none factual basis.
The concept of industrial revolution which was conceived to be a boon for mankind has taken the form of
a bane due to in adept implementation and execution planning by its crusaders. The vision which the conceivers
of industrialization sought to achieve was that of a world which provides for all humans. However due to unchecked
growth, rapid deforestation, exploitation of Earth's natural resources and numerous other reasons has seen the
vision turn sour to that of a planet which is blighted by natural calamities and thus caused insufferable loss to
life and property. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Sandy had the world rasped in attention.
The planet initially provided for the needs and necessities of all, but given the greed and the need for "self
interest" of Corporates has lead to overuse of resources and has thus turned a very unlikely scenario into likelihood
i.e. destruction of the worlds ecosystem.
For long the so called Worlds Super Powers have sat aside and done nothing. The earth's ecosystem has rapidly
disintegrated to such an extent that natural disasters have become a common feature around the world.
The consequences of planet change have been borne mostly by people completely or partially dependent
upon the nature for their livelihood. Such persons have no say in the policies which enabled development viz
a viz at the expense of the environment. Yet they are the ones who bear the brunt of climate change. Considering
the plight of Indian farmers, as such most farmers are dependent on the monsoon for their income. Any delay
in the arrival of monsoon leads to destruction or loss of crops, which in turn has lead to a rise in farmer suicides
in the country since they are unable to cope with the financial loss. State assistance is lackadaisical to say the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
62
least. This is the plight of farmers in India, a worldwide assessment of the impact is frankly scary to say the least.
Farmers or people belonging to the agrarian sector are least responsible for the climate change yet they are
the ones who suffer the most. The question of fixation of accountability for the destruction of the planet has
never been raised in any summit in which the theme is pertaining to the environment. Numerous Multi National
Companies are earning billions and billions at the expense of the environment with little legal consequences. The
question of fairness and equality which are considered pillars of any legal framework are tossed aside for a couple
of millions.
International countries need to be in agreement over fixing responsibility for environmental damage and
ensure adequate compensation is paid to people who are in need and deserve such. The monetary aspects for
once have to be put aside for the survival of our planet. The impact of environmental damage is visible worldwide,
it is now a question of whether we choose to act and save our planet or accelerate its destruction.
THE TUSSLE BETWEEN DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING NATIONS:
IMPACT ON CLIMATE
Heena Duggal & Rashi Gupta
Symbiosis Law School, Pune
heena.duggal@symlaw.ac.in
rashi.gupta@symlaw.ac.in
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
The research is based on primary data as well as secondary data. The primary data was collected through
a questionnaire and in depth interviews of the sample. Secondary data is in the form of articles published in books,
journals, magazines, research papers, newspapers and reports was also be referred. In the words of a layman
climate can be defined as the average weather in a place over many years. While the weather can change in just
a few hours, climate takes hundreds, thousands, even millions of years to change. The oxford dictionary defines
Climate as "The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period." While climate change
as defined by oxford dictionary means "A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change
apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric
carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels." Climate justice however, is not only about the distribution
of environmental goods between nation-states but also about how such goods continue to be distributed at
national and local levels under conditions of climatic change, as well as the importance of recognition and
participation Climate change is a serious threat in not only developing countries but even the developed countries.
The melting of glacier, the green-house effect has been affecting not only the people of developing counties but
even the citizens of the developed country. The injustice at the core of the climate problem is that those who
are least responsible are worst affected. While the international community debates the steps to take to solve
the problem - the scale of the impacts and the numbers of people affected increase. This is the argument behind
climate justice and a driver for a more urgent response to the global problem, in a way that treats all people
and countries fairly and ultimately prevents dangerous and irreversible climate change. India occupies an intriguing
dual position in global climate politics. As a developing economy with a substantial poverty problem and low levels
of historical and per capita emissions, India is both likely to face considerable impacts and has limited capacity
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
63
to address the problem. As a large country and one that had transitioned into a rapidly growing economy, India
gets called on to participate actively in addressing the global climate challenge.1 Our paper deals with how the
World Government should take a huge step in helping developing countries and help them deal with the great
impacts of the climate change. Impacts are going to get unavoidably worse, with massive disruption and loss of
human life and of other species that invisibly support our ecosystems. We are already living with climate change.
While the political arguments about causes and responses drag on, the people who are directly affected by its
very real and increasing effects, particularly the farmers, are beginning to face the urgent new reality of adaptation.
At the same time, one of the major political discourses surrounding climate change policy, at both the global and
local level, has been that of climate justice. Climate justice theorists, governments of the most vulnerable nations,
and activists and organizations in both local and global civil society have articulated a range of frameworks for
understanding the relationship between the effects of climate change and conceptions of justice and fairness.
There are various approaches that could be followed with regards to the current state of climate justice theory
and its relationship to policy-making. First, most well-known approaches to climate justice have two important
weaknesses, in that they fail to take advantage of two crucial developments in recent justice theory: one, the
identification of social and political misrecognition as the key underlying condition of the misdistribution of goods
and risks; and two, the influential capabilities approach, which focuses on the specific range of basic needs and
capabilities (including recognition) that human beings require to function. 'These two approaches help us
understand the political, social, and cultural conditions-in addition to the physical ones-that create and sustain
vulnerability. In addition, the vast majority of the current theories of climate justice are focused on frameworks
of prevention or mitigation, or on the distribution of the costs of adaptation to climate change. Second, adopting
a capabilities approach to climate change justice bridges the gap between ideal and abstract notions of climate
justice theory on the one hand and the reality of policy-making for adaptation on the other. A capabilities approach
can bring social and political recognition of specific and local vulnerabilities and the effects of climate change on
the basic needs of human beings in various places and under different conditions. Finally, a capabilities approach
acknowledges that justice depends on a revised understanding of the relationship between human beings and
the nonhuman world. Clearly, human needs and capabilities depend directly on the environment, and our impact
on the global climate is creating and/or exacerbating a range of vulnerabilities. The solution to the problems can
be found by two kinds of approaches. One key approach focuses on the historical responsibility that some may
bear for the present situation. The central argument is that there are specific states, acting within particular
practices of industrial development, that have brought us to our current climate change crisis, and that those
parties should now pay the current costs of their past transgressions. Proponents of historical responsibility note
that already vulnerable people in the developing world will be more, and more quickly, affected by climate change
in their everyday lives than those in developed countries. An alternative approach to climate justice is a per capita
equity argument, or a "carbon egalitarianism." Rather than focus on past responsibility for emissions, this approach
seeks to give everyone an equal "share of the capacity of the atmospheric sink". Another major approach to climate
justice focuses on rights-basic human rights, rights to development, and more specific environmental rights-and
the differentiated duties and responsibilities that flow from them. Simon Caney makes the claim that all people
have a right not to suffer from climate impacts that undermine their basic interests, and has argued that climate
change violates the human rights to life, health, and subsistence.
Our research paper deals with all the policies that world government or local governments should take up
in order to help the most affected section of society to deal with the climate changes. The most affected part
of the country because of the climate changes and how the people of the earth should come together and help
each other in dealing with the climate change.
1 http://indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/The%20Politics%20Of%20Climate%20Change%20In%20India.pdf
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
64
CLIMATE CHANGE: A PITFALL FOR AGRICULTURALLY DEPENDENT
RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN INDIA?
Lakshita Bhati
Student, Institute of Law, Nirma University
12bbl065@nirmauni.ac.in
Agriculture once accounted for major portion in India's GDP(gross domestic product) as being a fundamental
part of indian economy and rural livelihoods but it is now facing serious vulnerability in agricultural production
due to climate change.In a country like India which is largely dependent on rainfed agriculture and natural resources
like groundwater,Climate change poses a serious threat to sustainability of agriculture sector,adversely affecting
the livelihoods of small farmers and poor.Since, both agriculture and climate change are interdependent thus,
untoward changes in climate conditions like sea-level rise,floods,global warming and droughts threatens food
security and livelihoods of developing countries with huge population.
The objective of this paper is to discern the areas of threat posed by climate change and it's impact on farmers
and their livelihoods.The paper tries to analyse the human factor involved in climate change and methods to
improve adaptative capacity of agriculture by finding and proposing effective tools to strenghten the climate justice
initiatives at local level for small farmers for their sustainable livelihood.
Keywords:Agriculture,climate change,climate justice,sustainable livelihood
WOMEN AND POLICY MAKING ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Tejaswini Ranjan - Student, CNLU, Patna
Rahul Ranjan - Student, ILNU, Ahmedabad.
tej049@gmail.com
This is a descriptive, comparative and a suggestive study. The descriptive part of the paper describes how
women are affected by climate change. The reflections of The International Conference on Population and
Development (1994), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the World Summit on Sustainable
Development (2002), and the World Summit (2005) have been taken into account. The reasons why female are
more prone to the adverse effects of climate change have also been discussed.
The comparative part of the study involves the deliberations of the 46th session (2002) and 52nd session (2008)
of the Commission on the Status of Women. This section of the research states how women are differently affected
by the phenomenon of climate change. This segment of research also makes arguments on the gender prejudiced
effects of climate change and how women form the vulnerable unit. This part also states why the gender biased
approach is necessary to protect women from the threats of climate change.
The suggestive part of the paper refers to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (1979), Convention to Combat Desertification (2008), Statement of the CEDAW Committee on
Gender and Climate Change (2009). In this segment, the point of discussion revolves around how women can
play an important role in reducing the adverse effects of climate change and, how they can be a part of the policy
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
65
making process relating especially to mitigation and adaptation. Finally, how women can be protected from this
phenomenon has also been incorporated in the research work.
MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT:
AN EASY TOOL FOR CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE
Shahzad Maqsood Ahmed Basra, Irfan Afzal and Hafeez-ur-Rehman
Department of Crop Physiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
shehzadbasra@gmail.com
Crop plants have to face more than one abiotic stresses in their life cycle due to climate change. Development
of tolerant varieties is a way to cope abiotic stresses. The performance of crop plants under such stresses can
be enhanced by the exogenous application of growth promoting substances. Moringa oleifera L. is a rich natural
source of plant growth hormones (zeatin, a cytokinin), antioxidants (ascorbate, phenolics) and minerals (Ca, K,
Fe). Its leaf extract makes it an excellent growth enhancer. This presentation focuses the role of moringa leaf extract
(MLE) as natural plant growth enhancer when applied exogenously as seed priming or foliar agent in cereals i.e.
wheat, rice and maize and horticultural crops i.e. pea under normal and stressful environments. An increase of
15-40% was observed in all the tested crops under university experimental field and farmers fields. A survey was
conducted to get the feedback of the farmers. 90% farmers reported more than 15% increase in yield and cost
effective while 60% respondents declared it practicable. 100% farmers showed interest to plant moringa as
agroforestry and as a crop to get benefit of its multiple uses. In conclusion, moringa leaf extract is a natural source
of crop growth enhancer, reducing the use of chemicals, easy to use and farmer and environmentally friendly
tool.
NEW URBANISM AND SUSTAINABILITY: A PLANNING APPROACH
Urban Planning, CED
Jinu Jose & Dr. Krupesh A. Chauhan
Research Scholar & Professor in Urban Planning
SV National Institute Of Technology, Surat, Gujrat, INDIA
jinujoseer@yahoo.com
Growth has defined new dimensions which magnifies the role of Sustainable development. The 21st century
has changed due to exploration of technology. The entire focus goes on sustainable development approach. The
quality of life has transformed in urban cities of India. The people identifies and utilize the level of planning in
all sectors. People comments on the various sectors about kind of policy required to implement based on day
to day needs. The transportation and communication accessibility are the important factors which changed
everyday lives. As population rises which is indirectly proportional to natural resources. But demand rises against
supply. Need of sustainability is a matter of concern. Urbanization satisfies people with perfect balance of physical
and social infrastructure. The area delineated for specific purpose of land use in such a way where it gives maximum
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
66
benefit to people socially, economically and culturally. Necessity of organized sector with inclusive development
is essential for sustainable living. There are certain Drivers to Pump the Economy and boost various sectors.
Steering Development along with powerful strategies fuels the engine of economic growth and social vibrancy.
This paper presents about the planning of urban areas oriented with environmental elements with suitable policies
enables the maximum utilization of resources and supports the local people.
Keywords: sustainability, inclusive development, organized sectors
A NOTE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF MINING DUST ON
CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN BELLARY DISTRICT
Dr. Ponnaluru Srinivasa Sasdhar
Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Vijayanagara SriKrishnadevaraya University, Bellary
ponnalur@gmail.com
This article attempts to quantify the environmental impacts of airborne dusts from mining on agricultural
productivity. Iron ore mining was important economic activity in the district until its suspension from 2008 on
account of legal investigations. This study hypothesized that dust arising into atmosphere from Iron ore mining
can reduce crop productivity in the neighborhood. Data on crop productivity is obtained from National Agricultural
Insurance Scheme's crop cutting experiments spanning over seven years from 2006 to 2012. Preliminary results
indicate predominantly significant differences in crop productivities during and after mining in case of Bajra, Chillies,
Rice, Sesamum and Sunflower crops.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGIES IN INDIA
Dr. T. Vidya Kumari
tvidyakumari@gmail.com
New technologies are tools of progress and development. Innovations and technology transfers are the beacon
lights that attract the developing countries to provide monopoly rights in exchange for useful products and
processes that mitigate problems of public concern including climate change.
It is observed that Patents are akin to fireworks-they need careful handling .The "anti common features" of
the Patent system at times deter progress and pose a threat-a challenge to countries starved of new technologies.
This Paper is a review of the positive role of the Patent system in the protection of environment and climate
change. The different aspects of the relationship between climate change and new technologies will be discussed.
The base of the Paper includes-
• The review of the various international instruments on climate change. The starting instrument is the UNFCCC-
The UN Framework Convention on Climate change of 1992 followed by the Kyoto Protocol of 1998 which
spells out the objectives for its members to reduce green house gas emissions. Subsequently there has been
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
67
a consistent international dialogue for action against climate change. The limitations of International
Instruments and the need for concrete National Policies will be examined in this segment of the Paper.
• The role of the Patent system follows. The inherent challenges posed by the IP System due to its anti common
features has a negative effect on the democratic policies of most developing countries including India.
• The paper suggests a cooperative approach by the Government to receive the benefits of the Patent system
by encouraging technologies that mitigate climate change.
All efforts are required to mould the IP Laws to ensure the rights of the IP holders for their efforts, skill and
investments for technologies that address climate change and provide enough room for a synergy between IP
holders and the ultimate users of these technologies. The proposals of the Indian Government in this regard will
be discussed.
STRENGTHENING CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVES LIVELIHOOD
CHALLENGES
Thakur Jethani
Incharge - Principal, K.G. Shah Law school Mumbai
tmjethani@gmail.com
Till 1970 the Scientist discussed the possibility of a return of ice age then from mid eighties onwards a section
of scientist and policy makers directed our attention to a gradual rise of earth.
Overage surface temperature since late 19th century. Highly technical Terminologies like green home effect,
Ozone depletion and sustainable development global warning and soon entered in our vocabulary.
The concern for global warming had arisen from the prediction of general circulation modes (GCM), which
indicated a graduals warming of atmospheric temp. Resulting in dramatic climate change melting of polar ice and
drawing of low of coastal areas in the near future.
The Earth Summit
In 1992, representative from more than Hundred Countries assembled at Rio- de- Jenerio (Brazil), with an
objective to save Mother Earth from future environment degreadation. The Earth Summit at Rio or the world
Summit on sustainable Development, the two names were synonymously used for gathering comprising of Civil
Policy makers, academics, Politicians, journalist, Ministers and common primilarly organized by the U.N Commission,
on Environment and Development (UNESCO). In addition to the formation of U.N Framework Convention on
climate change (UNFCCC) several major agreement were enacted at the Earth Summit.
Kyoto Protocol
UNFCCC, which was created during Earth Summit at 1992 to address the climate change issue entered into
force in March 1994. It organizes annual meeting of the member nations is known as Conference of Parties (COP)
in their third annual meeting (CAPS) at Kyoto, Japan in 1977. UNFCC agreed to a Protocol on reduction of green
house gas emission.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
68
Climate change and Agriculture
Scientists have altered global policy makers to the perils of climate change over the coming decades and it
remains to be seen whether major international agreements can now be reached.
Agriculture is considered to be one of the most vulnerable sectors. The Declaration of the World Summit
on Food from November 2009 stated: "Climate change poses additional severe risks to food security and the
agriculture sector. Its expected impact is particularly fraught with danger for smallholder framers in developing
countries notably the least developed Countries and for already vulnerable populations: In a newly published report
the WTO and UNEP state that in low-latitude regions, even a small temperature increase of 1C would lead to
reductions of 5- 10 percent in the yields of major cereal crops. By 2020, crop yields in African countries could
fall by up to 50 percent.
Climate change has started to significantly affect agriculture and rural landscapes. In recent years both
droughts and floods attributed to changing climatic conditions have been getting more pronounced. Rising
temperatures are expected to bring crop- shrinking heat waves, melting glaciers and ice sheets and rising sea levels
with major consequences for global food security.
Conclusion
For Centuries, human civilization have relied on Mother Earth for its source, be it fire woods, coal, petroleum
or Uranium. It is high time that the sun and the wind should take up this responsibility and relieve the ailing earth.
By shifting environmentally hazardous activities to the fund- starved poor countries, pollution will be "parceled
out" to the southern states. The responsibility of green house gases reduction has been shifted already to the
less polluting developed countries by promising few extra dollars.
Acronyms
IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on climate change.
UNCEO- The UN Commission on Environment and Development
UNFCCC- The UN Frame work Convention on climate change
WBCSD- The World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Reference:
1. Seshagiri :- N-1997, the weather weapon National Book Trust India.
2. OPEC 2004, Oil outlook to 2015
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
69
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR
Dr. Tabassum Sheikh,
Associate Professor and HOD Philosophy,
GMM College, University of Mumbai,
simpletab @rediffmail.com
As Jammu and Kashmir struggles to deal with flood that have caused havoc and killed nearly 200 people while
leaving over half a million stranded, it has been pointed out that climate change may have triggered the sudden
intense rainfall that led to the worst floods that the region is facing in over a century.
The Kashmir floods are a grim reminder that Climate Change is now hitting India harder. In the last 10 years,
several extreme rainfall events have rocked the country, and this is the latest calamity in that series. According
to the 'Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) this could very well be another manifestation of an extreme
weather event induced by Climate Change.
The Kashmir disaster was caused by an event that fell in the 'very heavy rainfall' category. The fear is that
due to climate change, this can become the new normal.
Climate Change is drastically eating away glaciers, setting alarm bells ringing among environmentalists.
The phenomenon of glacier melting is accentuated by the loss of carbon sinks and other ecological
degradation. The forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir has been shrinking from 37% to 11% by an International
based body.
Deforestation has accelerated as a result of poor government control, corruption, lack of local awareness and
increased military activity, the sustained depletion of the green cover has begun to have a severe effect on the
environment in the entire state.
Kashmir-often called heaven on earth-is a major tourist attraction. But this has also become a bane for the
state leading to unchecked ill- planned construction which are choking the flood plains of the rivers. As concrete
structures take over wetlands, rivers and streams have lost the ability to carry extra water when it rains heavily.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATIONS AND POLICIES IN INDIA IN
RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGES ISSUES IN LAST
DECADE.
Prof Jaymangal M. Dhanraj
Dr. Ambedkar College of Law, Wadala, Mumbai-31.
dhanrajlex@gmail.com
Till 1970s the scientists discussed the possibility of a return of Ice-Age. Then from the mid-eighties onwards,
a section of scientists and policy maker directed our attention to a gradual rise of earth's average surface
temperature since late 19th century. Highly technical terminology like "greenhouse effect", "ozone depletion",
and sustainable development, "global warming" and so on entered into our vocabulary.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
70
The concern for global warming had arisen from the prediction of a general circulation model (GCM), which
indicated a gradual warming of atmospheric temperature resulting in dramatic climate change, melting of polar
ice and drowning of low coastal areas in the near future. This complex model however provoked a lot of controversy
among scientific communities about its accuracy. Scientist disagreed on fundamentals. Questions were raised about
the veracity of the claims of the global warming phenomena. Was it a part of a self-correcting natural cycle-with
no direct association with energy consumption?
India is a non?Annex I country under the Kyoto Protocol and thus has no binding target for emissions reduction.
However, India is an active participant in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established by the Protocol.
India has a number of policies that, while not primarily driven by climate concerns, contribute to reducing or
avoiding GHG emissions.
On 4 October 2012, the Indian government approved India's 12th Five?Year Plan for 2012-2017, drafted by
the Planning Commission, which sets a target of 8.2% growth during that period. The Plan makes clear that high
growth requires
Supporting growth in energy and that the Indian government must take steps to reduce the energy intensity
of production processes and also to increase domestic energy supplies as quickly as possible.
The Government of India has set up an Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategy for Inclusive Growth. The Group
has been given the mandate to develop a roadmap for India for low carbon development. The Group's
recommendations are a central part of India's 12th Five?Year Plan. The plan received final approval from the
National Development Council in late December 2012.
The Electricity Act 2003 sought to better coordinate development of the power sector in India. As an objective,
it seeks to promote efficient and environmentally benign policies, among others. The Act recognised the role of
renewable energy in the country's National Electricity Policy (issued by the government in 2005) and contains
key provisions relating to renewable energy.
India adopted a "National Action Plan on Climate Change" (NAPCC) in 2008 outlining existing and future
policies and programmes directed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. The plan outlines eight "national
missions" running up to 2017.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA AND CLIMATE
JUSTICE
Rashmi Kumari
Scholar, Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad,
rashmikumari@lawyer.Com
Climate justice is the recognition that climate change will impact environmental justice communities first and
worst. The charge to rectify climate injustice has been led by environmental justice communities and organizations,
indigenous peoples, and all others traditionally excluded from the political decision?making process because of
racism or poverty. For example, increased greenhouse gas emissions will also increase co?pollutants that harm
human health and degrade the environment. Yet current legislative and regulatory efforts fail sufficiently to address
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
71
these issues. Recently Municipal solid waste (MSW) presents environmental, social, and economic problems and
it directly affect on human health. In this paper the researcher focuses on the role of Indian government and
their policies and also recommend the action which gives climate justice.
Key words- Climate Justice, Municipal solid waste, Environment, human health.
MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE:
PROMOTING BIOMASS GAS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE
Haribhai Mori, Prashant Borkute and Shilpa Vasavada
hmori@lpgcl.com
prashantkjbf@gmail.com
vasavada.shilpa@gmail.com
Households in rural India are highly dependent on firewood as the main source of energy. This is more so
as non-bio fuels are often expensive for most rural households - particularly for those below the poverty line.
Demand for ?re wood has increased with increased population. The demand is often met by utilizing the animal
dung together with agricultural residues. Burning of fuel wood as also use of cow dung only adds much to climate
change.
Biogas has been a proven clean technology and is known for its positive impact on mitigating climate change.
Government also have been extending support in the name of 'subsidy' so that households can make use ofBiogas
fuel and thus contributing towards mitigating the effects of climate change.
This paper is based on interventions done by KJBF in Wardha district of Maharashtra, where looking at the
local circumstances, KJBF has extended additional financial support to the farmers to have biogas plants installed.
Apart from the financial support, KJBF has also ensured quality construction of the biogas; it had held users' training
programmes and has made biogas accessories available by promoting an entrepreneurial approach. Together, the
impact is that in an area where biogas plants were not accepted due to various reasons, KJBF has become the
largest player in the field of promotion of biogas.
This paper is based on a study done in March 2014 which shows that promotion of biogas has not only helped
in reduction of poverty on large scale, but has also made a significant impact on the mitigation of climate change.
The paper argues that government must see its support from the angle of investment and not from the angle
of subsidy as the amount it provides as support actually is an investment it makes towards reducing its contribution
to 'other subsidies' it provides. Many of these other subsidies do not contribute positively to the climate change
agenda. The paper argues that for government this investment has positive implication on reducing negative
consequence to climate change as well as reducing its investment into 'other subsidies'.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
72
MORE DECENTRALIZATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Thilakanandan.c
Associate Professor of Law, Co-ordinator, Clinical Justice Education Organisation (CLIJEO)
The Legal Aid Clinic.
thilakanandc@yahoo.com
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment and consequential enactment of Panchayathi Raj Act has
brought about a legislative revolution in decentralized administration. But even after decades of this power shift,
it lies only in paper. Decentralization of administration in India is still a myth. The state of Kerala which has a
long experience in decentralized administration in independent India has also not so far produced better results
in consonance with the legislative intention. In spite of the fact that panchayaths have been divested with powers
and they have been strengthened ever before, the power concentration before the state secretariat has not so
far been dwindled down; rather its size is becoming fatter than ever before.
It is high time for us to give much attention to the matter of power decentralization ever before. The country's
population is growing much faster along with its attended problems. Merely by making adjustments in poverty
line, no administration can reduce the real poverty in any society. Many of the big problems faced by our society
can be resolved in an easy manner at grass root level; not to speak of the greater environmental issues. In order
to do this the panchayath administration has to be given prominence. More powers, functions and finance have
to be allocated to the panchayaths.
In this attempt the first step to be considered is equipping the panchayaths within the present frame work
itself. Their administrative efficiency has to be improved at least one fold. For this purpose each gram sabha which
may consist of at least one thousand voters has to be divided in to a minimum of four or five residential groups.
Each residential group shall be equipped with strong committee system with some respectable elder members
as patrons. When such attempts are made it is possible to find people with different talents in various fields. On
the basis of their talents a village level ministry - gram manthralay has to be formed. Periodic meetings on a monthly
basis enable people to meet together and discuss various issues of individual and social importance and that will
bring togetherness among them. The social ethos will then be developed. It will lead to reducing tensions in society.
People start considering the problems of their fellow beings, women, children, aged, sick, differently abled, invalid
etc. it will foster brotherhood and sisterhood in society and enable people to give due recognition to each member
of the society. Periodic trainings in the area of social inclusive growth, environmental awareness, life skills, soft
skills, legal awareness and nation development are needed. Encouragement of arts, literary, and sports activities
are also should be very much part of this programme. All this will naturally increase employment opportunities.
All the above programmes and related activities are required for a cultural advancement in any society. It will
give people a feeling that they are getting what is due to them ie, a feeling of justice. This kind of subdividing
of gram sabhas and formation of residential committees and their effective functioning can be completed within
a period of one to two years.
The second phase of this development must be providing more funds to the panchayaths. The financial
assistance to the gram sabhas must be based on their project proposals. The projects must be scrutinized by an
expert committee. Direct funding to gram sabhas must be provided to carry out their projects instead of central
or state schemes. This is needed for the gram sabhas to be very serious and effective. It is also required for inclusive
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
73
development. When the involvement of people become more ie, when more decentralization is possible, more
sustainable will be the development paradigm. In order to bring about these changes an amendment to the
panchayathi raj act is necessary. The Legal Aid Clinic of Government Law College, Kozhikode- Clinical Justice
Education Organisation (CLIJEO) is very much engaged in such activities in a ward in the nearby panchayath of
our college.
AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE: TREND OF FARMERS
SUICIDE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE IN LIGHT OF GOVERNMENT PLANS
AND POLICIES FOR FARMERS IN INDIA
Ms. Sunita Sharma
Assistant Professor (Law), Department of Law, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
suni.sharma28@gmail.com
N. Bangkim Singh
Assistant Professor (Sociology), Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
"The Farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale,
and pays the freight both ways."
-John F. Kennedy
A farmer is a key point of Indian economy. Although lot of sectors has been emerging and the deliberations
of the government has been shifted to industrialization, privatization and globalization, and recently to FDI policies.
The priority given to agriculture in initial five year plans has found no place in other succeeding five year plans
and policies. Diversion of lands from agricultural to non agricultural purposes and also leaving agriculture at the
mercy of nature led to the trend of suicide among the farmers in India which is supported by various statistics
reports. Although subsidies and some welfare schemes are there, but a question arises- Have we opted for any
other thing to eat other than food? Or more too elaborate Do we really think that we can make all the things
by machines? If both answers are yes, then there is no need to worry. But If answer is no, we have to think upon
our dependency over agriculture. On the other side, the unprecedented farmer's suicide indicates that sooner
or later the country is going to face food crisis. Farmers are human beings, they have human rights and they should
have participation and deliberation in all aspects of decision making and execution of plans and policies which
are directly or indirectly affecting their life. They are deprived of economic justice as well as social justice. After
67 years of Independence many farmers are depending on nature, if India cannot support them to survive, or
cannot equip them with sustainable modern tools and techniques, then we are receding backward.
This paper examines and analyses social and economic justice of farmers with special reference to climate
justice embedded in various government policies and planning and real life of the farmers. The authors also
suggests recommendations for the same which will help many farmers from taking their own life due to the
unmeted climate justice in India.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
74
GOVERNMENT ROLE ON CLIMATE JUSTICE
Suyash Srivastava
Law College Dehradun, Uttranchal University.
suyash123.2012@gmail.com
In this modern era, climate justice is playing a major role in protecting the people and natural environment
from the adverse impact of climate change. It is a vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens created
by climate change. Global warming is fundamentally an issue of human rights and environmental justice. With
rise in temperatures human lives- particularly people who are below poverty line or not able to fulfill their primary
objectives- are affected by compromised health, financial burdens and social and cultural disruption.
In this world of new technologies, the climatic condition is getting worse day by day in our environment, which
is affecting our health and survival of mankind and animals. As by the end of 20th century technology has become
the main resource for every aspect. Worldwide all Governments , scientist and all other departments which deal
with health and environment issues have started to react , realizing the potential of the damage it cause to the
society and environment.
This paper is attempt to provide a glimpse on role of government policies and schemes over climate justice.
It revolves around how the climatic condition of our environment is getting worse day by day and its effects on
our society and health. It also states and analyses some key reasons why policies or schemes are not effective
enough to maintain climate justice and rapidly growth of unhygienic climatic conditions. The research paper will
also discuss some of the key theories of justice which are relevant to understand climate justice.
Key Words- Climate Justice, Schemes or Policies of government, Theories, Climatic conditions in India
CLIMATE JUSTICE AND INITIATIVES BY THE NATION
Arifa Zahra
LLM, Gujarat National Law University
zahraarifa786@gmail.com
"Climate Justice is a struggle over land, forest, water, culture, food sovereignty, collective and social rights;
it is a struggle that considers "justice" at the basis of any solution; a struggle that supports climate solutions found
in the practices and knowledge of those already fighting to protect and defend their livelihoods and the
environment; a struggle that insists on a genuine systematic transformation in order to tackle the real causes of
climate change… Climate Justice addresses four key themes: root causes, rights, reparations and participatory
democracy." India is emerging both as an economic powerhouse and a global environmental leader. As India's
economy charges ahead, the country needs to produce more energy to provide a better life for its people, many
of whom live in rural areas and are very poor. At the same time, India has recognized that tackling climate change
is in its own national interests. The nation is taking concrete measures to constrain its own emissions and to protect
its people from climatic disruptions. In India, widespread and significant impacts of climate change have been
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
75
noticed for at least 10-15 years in many regions. In the international realm, it is being woven into broader foreign
policy strategy, while domestically; it is being shaped to serve national and sub-national development interests.
India is an increasingly influential actor in global climate negotiations, as a growing economic power; part of the
G77 and China group, and more recently in its cooperation with Brazil, China and South Africa as the BASIC group.
This paper will shed light upon the following points:
• Climate justice-Need of the Hour
• Emerging issues of climate change- Threat to India
• Initiatives taken by India
• Agricultural schemes
• Climate justice as a Global concern (International treaties and Bali Principles of climate change)
• Conclusion
• Suggestions
The author will be using non-doctrinal and empirical research technique of research methodology.
This paper will definitely inspire the people to take initiatives in order to save our environment and to
administer climate justice by own and would also make them aware of the already taken initiatives by the
government in this regard.
Key words: Climate Justice, Government, Initiatives.
TORT REMEDIES: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NUISANCE AND
NEGLIGENCE
Soumya Jha
Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur [C.G]
soumya_jha@hotmail.com
The raising concerns for environmental awareness and the urging need for safeguarding the environment,
especially in this high-paced globalized world, has laid stress on the emerging necessity of Environmental Law.
More so, in the last few decades, the dire need for putting conscious efforts for safeguarding the environment
by protected and pollution-free environment in the present and to achieve sustainable development for a
'protected tomorrow' has also been realized.
This paper, however deals with the impact of various torts on climate. It analyses various torts committed
to the environment which disastrously affects the climate, encompassing the beliefs prevalent in olden times
regarding the protection of environment and its transition to the modern belief (culture, beliefs, concepts of
economic welfare- industrialization and urbanization etc) exacerbating the conditions in the present day. Having
said so, it also illuminates on the roots of environmental law which is found in the Common Law concept of
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
76
nuisance1 by understanding the concept of nuisance- its definition, consequences of liability, approaches of
different courts, judicial interventions and influence of various international conventions and customs in interpreting
the ambit of such torts and its remedies.
This paper also attempts to understand the close relation between nuisance and negligence and goes on to
rationally examine whether always negligence is a pathway for commission of nuisance in the form of man-made
disasters. Moreover, only on occurrence of accidents like Bhopal gas leak disaster2, stakeholders3 raise concerns
of preventing them. This paper however critically analyses the effect of such curatives measures on, in the ambit
of torts and its remedies, the victims and also the climate and further suggests on the preference of preventive
rather than curative environmental measures through strict laws and regulations.
Further ahead, it also elucidates the raising concern for the same on a global level and therefore, brings about
necessary comparisons of these torts and remedies in different jurisdictions like the USA, the UK, Canada and
so on.
Further, it reflects on various defenses available for commission of such tortuous acts raising mass environmental
concerns and also on its severe misuses. To conclude, it explores the fundamental concept of these torts, its
remedies and defenses and its adverse impact on the climate.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES IN CLIMATE
INITIATIVES
Harsh Bajpai
Rishabh Saxena
Symbiosis Law School, Noida
nbajpai66@gmail.com
A New World Order is required to deal with the Climate Change crisis."
-Gordon Brown, former British prime minister
Since 1990, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recognised that human induced climate
change is occurring as a result of burning fossil fuels and land clearance. The world in 21st century itself is predicted
to witness an increase of anywhere from 2 to 4.5°C in the annual global mean surface temperature. This increase
will result in various types of changes all over the globe. The consequences of these changes are likely to be
devastating for many.
The impacts of climate change will be clearly reflected on the environment, economics, and people. Everything
that will follow is uncertain. Now, the important question arising is that how to tackle this problem? This is where
the concept of Climate Justice comes into play.
1 Pg. 15, P. Leelakrishnan, Environmental Law in India, LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa (3rd Edition, 2008)
2 Union of India v. Union Carbide Corporation, (1986) 2 Comp LJ 169
3 environmentalists, social workers, general public and government institutions
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
77
Climate justice in simple terms addresses the climate change by looking at who is hurt, how they are and
will be hurt and who will be responsible. It brings the human right perspective of what has been, until now, into
perspective. It gives rise to scientifically concerned topics with respect to consumption patterns and emission levels
for debate.
"Climate Justice is a vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens created by climate change. As a
form of environmental justice, climate justice is the fair treatment of all people and freedom from discrimination
with the creation of policies and projects that address climate change and the systems that create climate change
and perpetuate discrimination."
With this paper we will be trying to bring out a clearer picture of 'Climate Justice'. Incidents that bring the
concept of 'Climate Justice' into limelight will be discussed. We will talk about it keeping in mind a perspective
of all the International bodies that realize the effects of Climate Change and entertain discussions on the topic
of 'Climate Justice'. We will try to put forward the points that are addressed in various Summits and renowned
conferences with special emphasis on 'Climate Justice'. This paper will also throw light on various public policies
brought in by countries both developed, developing and under-developed countries. With the discussions of public
policies, the development of countries with special emphasis to 'Climate Justice and control' will also be discussed.
"Men argue. Nature acts." -Voltaire
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT IN FIELD OF AGRICULTURE
Ayushi Agarwal and Utkarsh Singh
Symbiosis Law School, Noida
ayushiagarwal1111@gmail.com; utkarsh27@yahoo.com
The paper will in detail shall discuss about how the climate change is affecting the agriculture India, the
hardships that Indian farmers have to face because of it and how sustainable development techniques are at their
rescue lately.
Climate Change is a global environment issue. It affects the use of land, fuels, and agriculture everywhere.
The carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane emissions in the air cause global warming. Global warming is a
phenomenon in which there is a constant rise in temperature in the air above the land and ocean levels.Due this
climate change there are prolonged periods of drought, floods and shifting climatic zones which are endangering
development successes. The poor and needy farmers are often most affected by climate variability and change.
Farmers in India are highly dependent on the climate as the agriculture majorly lies on the monsoon rains.
India is a large emerging economy with a great variety of geographical regions and biodiversity. More than
half of India's population of over 1 billion people lives in rural areas and depends on climate-sensitive sectors
like agriculture, fisheries and forestry for their livelihoods. Natural resources and the environment are already
under pressure as a result of rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and economic development.The farmers in India
are now switching to genetically modified crops.
Sustainable development in the field of agriculture is an essential requirement for adequate usage of
renewable resources. Green technology has helped to conserve natural environment and resources. It reduces
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
78
the emotions of Carbon dioxide and thus helps to have a significant growth in the renewable resources. Moreover
it's a way to improve the national economy with proper use of resources without harming the environment. This
sustainable development is possible only when there is an improvement in agricultural research and education
among farmers. Increased production with a decrease in average cost is a prerequisite for a developing country
like India where a larger population depends upon agriculture for livelihood.
Keywords: Climate change, global warming, agriculture, genetically modified crops, renewable resources,
sustainable development, green technology, agricultural education.
CLIMATE JUSTICE WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN
FARMERS
Ripal Gupta
gupta.ripal@gmail.com
Adhyapak Sahayak at Anand Law College, Anand
Jimit Pandit
Student of Anand Law College, Anand
The climate justice is to be taken to the new height for the solution of the people and to take care of their
fundamental rights. The climate justice is used as in general for viewing the climate change as an issue and how
its causes and effects relate to concept of justice. Climate change includes the issues as the environmental issue,
social issue, fundamental rights, ethical and spiritual violation, human rights, equality in a vast meaning, the climate
justice is the need of the people who suffer from the impact of it; the harm to the climate, the harm to the people.
The sustainable development is the concept for developing in a manner where it not harm to the environment,
the future generation get the benefits of the same resource and country also develop, the important conditions
of the sustainable development is 1.precautionery principal, 2. Public trust, 3.Polluter pays principal. In current
time the industries are doing the profit and increasing global warming on the name of the sustainable development
the actual concept of sustainable development is not applied. The institutional framework is done but the
execution of the same is not accurately and fully done there are many statues and government bodies under it
are legislate and establish but the prompt implementation is most important for it.
The India has signed many treaties regarding the human rights and even the treaties regarding the environment
protection and climate change but the implementation of it is most important the statue are enacted but the
concern authority has to take care of its completion and execute it well, the legal framework of the India regarding
the protection of the environment and human rights is well but now by applying it the justice should be done
with the people who suffer from it. The farmers are the most sufferer people of the climate change as the
agriculture is purely and fully depend on the nature, the pure food is available from the nice and naturally grown
vegetation, as the climate and environment is only affected by man that the pure vegetation is not available and
the crops and grain are destroyed due to improper climate condition, so the climate justice is an ultimate need
for world and for India.
Key Words: Climate Justice, Sustainable Development, Climate change, Institutional Framework, Farmers
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
79
STRENGTHENING CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVES: LIVELIHOOD
CHALLENGES AT LOCAL LEVEL WITH A FOCUS ON FARMERS
Anupriya Mishra
Shubham Namdeo
namdeoshubham95@gmail.com
It's a human behaviour that he looks after the present only ,the future costs nothing for him and this simple
behaviour has bring us to this dangerous dawn where a monster of climate change is breathing in front of us
with open jaws.
Decreasing scale of rain, increasing of sea level, hot weather, melting glaciers, these are some simple symptoms
which we can see through naked eyes. But the real symptoms are something else. These changes have affected
the groundwater level and soil quality for most. These things are the basic requirements for a farmer and these
are only in danger and its effect we can see in the quality and amount of the food grain they are producing.
In India, where more than 60 percent of people are farmers, it's a disaster because half of the population
is suffering from the problem and the other half is based on that first half.
What can we do to overcome with this problem? India has become the part of UNFCCC, that's good but it
does not imply any legal binding on nations. It only suggests them to sign treaties on this subject. The real thing
exists in local government. The Initiative taken by local government for farmers and other affecting people will
work actually.
In India most of the farmers are illiterate. They don't have any knowledge about soil quality or weather
behavior. Government should take this step to test their soil and then suggest them to crop accordingly. With
the help of experts government should tell the farmers the role of the weather in agriculture and before they
crop they should have the knowledge of the weather. Like, if they are going to seed cotton, whether they will
get enough of monsoon. These general steps will bring huge changes in agriculture and farmers life too. Apart
this, insurance of each agriculture land is also a good option for betterment of farmers.
Climate change is a problem which will take years and years to be cured. Government of each nation should
take initiative to lesser the production of greenhouse gases, public should start using public vehicles and stop
using CFC's and the most important thing a person is required to look after this problem as their personal one.
Conclusion:
Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri quoted "Praise the Youth and praise the Farmers"
Because these two are the life line of a nation, and one of this is in serious problem. Not only farmers but
also common people will be suffering from this soon. Climate change is really a serious problem, if not taken
seriously soon Earth will lose life and hole of ozone (O3), melting of ice bergs in Antarctica and acid rain is the
symbol of its beginning.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
80
GLOBALIZATION AND CLIMATE INTERVENTIONS
Ms. Namrata Patel
Mr. Sourabh Dev Pandey
sourabhdevpandey@gmail.com
The process of growing and expanding to exist throughout the entire world is globalization. In recent decades,
international connectivity has increased on many fronts, including the flow of information, movements of people,
trading patterns, the flow of capital, regulatory systems, and cultural diffusion.
The global scale, interconnectedness, and economic intensity of contemporary human activity are historically
unprecedented, as are many of the consequent climate and social changes. These global changes fundamentally
influence on human health, economic activities, the spread of consumerism and urbanization. On the economic
front, the recent global financial crisis has underscored the domino-like interdependence of national economies.
EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION:
The processes of global change are more systemic, involving disruption or depletion.
Population growth is often overlooked in the discourse on global change, including its relation to the mitigation
of climate change, to which the contribution of global emissions is obvious. The projections by the United Nations
that today's population of 7 billion will increase to 9.3 billion by 2050. Furthermore, the negative-feedback loop
of excessive population pressure on regional environments not only exacerbates various ongoing worldwide
environmental and ecologic changes but also entrenches conditions of poverty and disadvantage. It integrates
disparate but well founded bodies of research. It is also likely to undermine the capacity of system to provide
the opportunities and services that help people to sustain their livelihood.
Global climate change is part of the larger syndrome of human-induced global environmental changes. These
include land degradation, ocean acidification, and disruptions and depletions of the stratospheric ozone concentration,
soil fertility, fresh-water resources, biodiversity stocks and ecosystem functioning.
CONCLUSION:
Rapid globalization has brought new, large-scale influences to bear on patterns of human health. Various
global-scale changes - economic, social, demographic, and environment.
Undertaking primary prevention at the source to reduce health risks resulting from these global influences
is a formidable challenge. It requires conceptual insights beyond the conventional understanding of causation and
prevention. Meanwhile, additional resources and strategies will be needed to reduce the health risks related to
global change that have already arisen or are now unavoidable. For populations to live sustainably with good long-
term health, the health sector must work with other sectors in reshaping how human societies plan.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
81
CLIMATE JUSTICE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK AND FARMER IN INDIA
Muskan Ochani & Pranati Bhatnagar
College Of Legal Studies,
UPES, Dehradun
muskanochani@gmail.com
Climate justice is informed by science, responses to science and acknowledges the need for equitable
stewardship of the world's resources. The climate change raise challenging questions in the economics of risk,
space, time and in broader aspects of human well-being. The vast gulf in resources between rich and poor is the
deepest injustice of our age.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has outlined various consequences of continuing
greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gas reductions would cost some nations much more
than others, and benefit some nations far less than others. The United States is awakening to the urgency of the
climate crisis; and Congress is poised to respond with a cap-and-trade approach meant to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through market mechanisms.
Indiscriminate pollution of environment doesn't just constitute danger to health and livelihood; it is a threat
to the very existence and security of humanity. Farmers are the deepest victims of the same, despite numerous
measures taken to uplift this class of the society by the government of the country they are still one of the least
developed section of the society.
Humans are hypocrites. They are both creators and molder of their environment, which gives them physical
sustenance and affords them the opportunity for intellectual, moral, social and spiritual growth.
The field of law has, in many ways, been the poor relation in the world-wide effort to deliver a cleaner, healthier
and ultimately fairer world. We have over 500 international and regional agreements, treaties and conventions
covering everything from the protection of the ozone layer to the conservation of the oceans and seas. Almost
all, if not all, countries have national environmental laws too. But unless these are complied with, unless they
are enforced, then they are little more than symbols, tokens, paper tigers.
Keywords: - equitable stewardship, cap-and-trade approach, market mechanisms, physical sustenance.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
82
JUSTICE INITIATIVE IN INDIA: AN INDIAN FARMER'S STORY
Shubham Modi & Kusharg Rohan
School of law Dr. H.S. Gour Cental university
shubham.modi407@gmail.com
Over the past 15 years, a scourge of suicides has claimed the lives of an estimated 250,000 farmers in India.
And the death count is still climbing, according to a new report by the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice
(CHRGJ) at New York University. "On average, one farmer commits suicide every 30 minutes in India," said Smita
narula director of the CHRGJ and co-author of the report, "Every Thirty Minutes: Farmer Suicides, Human Rights,
and the Agrarian Crisis in India." The report, which focuses primarily on small cotton farmers in India, identifies
several likely sources and potential solutions to the suicide epidemic in India. In my view, it gets both of these
at least partially wrong. Generally speaking, the report suggests multinational agri business, market reforms and
a ludicrously inadequate policy response to the crisis on the part of the Indian government are among the culprits
contributing to the tragedy. While structural market reforms and ineffective government policy clearly has
contributed to the suicide epidemic, the claim that multinational companies bear at least part of the blame for
these tragedies not only flies in the face of the evidence but is also likely to have perverse consequences. The
analysis suggests that foreign multinational corporations promoting genetically modified cottonseed in India are
impinging on the rights of small farmers in India.
CLIMATE, DEMOCRACY AND SUSTAINABILITY:
COMMON BUT DIFFERENTIATED RESPONSIBILITY.
Rishi Mishra and Anushree Mishra
rishiwmishra@gmail.com
This paper intends to give a brief information about the challenges faced by the farmers at the local level
and its effect to the climate.
Climate change is a significant time variation in weather patterns occurring over periods ranging from decades
to millions of years. Climate change may refer to a change in average weather conditions, or in the time variation
of weather around longer-term average conditions. Certain human activities have also been identified as significant
causes of recent climate change, often referred to as global warming, greenhouse effect and ozone depletion.
In reference to the above topic, we have researched on "The Economics of Climate Justice: Role of International
agencies".
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has Report 2001 concluded that the poorest countries
would be hardest hit, with reductions in crop yields in most tropical and sub-tropical regions due to decreased
water availability, and new or changed insect pest incidence. Marine life and the fishing industry will also be
severely affected in some places. Climate change have both market and non-market impacts in which market
impacts are Agriculture and Fisheries whereas non market effects are Knowledge gaps, Vulnerability, Adaptation,
Socioeconomic trends. A small increase in global mean temperature would result in net negative market sector
impacts in many developing countries and net positive market sector impacts in many developed countries.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
83
The Stern's Review points to the potential impacts of climate change on water resources, food production,
health, and the environment. According to them, without action, the overall costs of climate change will be
equivalent to losing at least 5% of global gross domestic product (GDP) each year, now and forever.
Conclusion:
Climate change is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen, presenting a unique challenge
for economics. There are National and International policies such as Kyoto Protocol, Green power, Environmental
Subsidies and Emission taxes and charges to bring climate justice. The main conclusion is that the benefits of strong,
early action on climate change far outweigh the costs of not acting.
CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVES AND TECHNOLOGY
Muskan Kesharwaani
Pankaj savita
Student of law, Dr. Hari Singh Gour a Central University
savita.pankaj91@gmail.com
Climate change mitigation are actions to limit the magnitude and/or rate of long-term climate change. Climate
change mitigation generally involves reductions in human (anthropogenic) emissions of greenhouse (GHGs).
Mitigation may also be achieved by increasing the capacity of carbon sinks, e.g., through reforestation. Mitigation
policies can substantially reduce the risks associated with human-induced global warming. Most countries are
parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).[8] The ultimate objective of
the UNFCCC is to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of GHGs at a level that would prevent dangerous human
interference of the climate system.
The Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology Integration was created as part of the Clear Skies
Initiative in February 2002 by George W. Bush, as a Cabinet-level effort to coordinate climate change science and
technology research. The United States Climate Change Technology Program or CCTP is a multi-agency planning
and coordination entity. Its purpose is to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that can
reduce, avoid, or capture and store greenhouse gas emissions. CCTP was established administratively in 2002,
authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and appropriated funds in 2007. Currently, the Department of Energy
is designated as the lead agency. Some more initiatives are introduced worldwide they are : New England Governors
and Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan 2001, West Coast Governor's Global Warming Initiative,
North America 2050, Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Southwest climate change initiative.
Conclusion:
Scientific analysis can provide information on the impacts of climate change, but deciding which impacts are
dangerous requires value judgments. While many businesses are already taking action to mitigate climate change
by reducing their carbon footprints, so far much less has been done by the private sector to address adaptation
to expected climate change impacts.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
84
CLIMATE JUSTICE: A HOLISTIC ANALYSIS
IN THE CONTEXT OF INDIAN FARMERS
Isha Kabra
Student, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
isha.kabra.1@gmail.com
The effect of climate change on our environment has become a big reason for concern now. It has devastating
effects on resources, temperature, forests etc. These effects are felt all over the world and a major cause of this
climate change has been industrialization. But the process of industrialization has not been uniform throughout
the world. We see a Global North-South divide where the nations in the Global North are more developed
industrialized nations and the nations in the South are not very developed or industrialized. It means that the
major actors who have contributed to climate change are the countries in the Global North and the South becomes
the bearer of the effects even without actually causing them. In recent times, there have been deliberations over
the issue of climate change and the principle that the responsibility for climate change should be common but
differentiated has been used to deliver climate justice.
In the above mentioned context, this paper will examine especially the case of India. India is a country lying
in Global South. As a result, it is confronted with two issues- lesser industrialization and climate change. The people
who are most affected by these are the poor and underprivileged which includes farmers. We all know that farming
in India is taken up as an occupation by a majority of the people in the rural areas. Climate change adversely
affects rainfalls, fertility of land, climate, temperature and a lot of other factors crucial for agriculture. Due to
this, the farmers get adversely affected. Also, India is a low-lying country and is affected badly when some natural
disasters occur due to climate change which further worsens the situation. And if the countries in both the North
and the South are to equally compensate for the activities of the North, it would be most unfair to these people.
To mitigate the adverse effects of this, sustainable development is seen as a solution. There have been
attempts by the farmers to take the course of sustainable development to improve their situation or not worsen
it further. There has also been use of innovative technology by them for the same purpose. Also, further
contextualizing Indian scenario, we are confronted with a deeper problem that women are even more vulnerable.
In most cases, women are not given any sort of recognition like social or legal as farmers. They are just considered
as a helping hand to the males. Also, they have to bear the burden of dual labour i.e. taking care of the house
and also taking care of agriculture and thus, are adversely affected by climate change. This paper seeks to explore
all of these factors in detail and also argue that if we are to deliver climate justice to them, empowerment of
women is a must and has to be done to improve the help the Indian farmers and reduce their misery. Considering
the demographics of India, there can be no climate justice without gender justice.
Keywords- Climate change, Industrialization, Global North-South divide, sustainable development, gender
justice
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
85
E-WASTE IN INDIA: DARK SIDE OF DIGITAL REVOLUTION
Devita Shah and Neelanjana Paul
Students of KLE Society's Law College.
paulneelanjana@gmail.com
devita.shah7@gmail.com
Rapid turnover in the field of industrialization and modernization is the crucial vector for future societal
development with a not-so-modern downside to it- Electronic waste or E-waste. E-waste happens to be the most
crucial waste disposal issue of the 21st century. Electronic gadgets have become an indispensable part of our lives.
But it is also necessary to look over the potential environmental risks that are very much associated, with the
ingredients of these electronic appliances, which are of grievous nature.
The very essence of manufacturing electronic gadgets is to provide comfort and luxury but in addition there
is a need to focus on the implications of excessive consumer culture which is leading to increase in e-waste in
India. Focusing on the rudimentary processes used by the recyclers in disposing of trashed appliances by open
burning, acid baths and heating of circuit boards results in emission of toxic substances, which not being bio-
degradable leaves toxic footmarks.
The toxic elements so released penetrate the "soil-food-crop pathway"- the most intrinsic and vulnerable part
of ecology. Over the time, the toxic chemicals are seeping into the land and water resources, leading to bio-
accumulation and bio-magnification. The released heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, zinc
and nickel enters the food chain and finds their way to the human beings, who are the ultimate sufferer in the
hands of his own creations.
The growing volume of landfills in India filled with e-waste has made the Government of India unable to turn
a blind eye. Though, the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) has issued certain e-waste management
guidelines in 2011- the first of its kind in India; however these are not sufficient enough to cope with the emerging
problem. In this paper, we would deal with the present e-waste scenario in India, its environmental impact and
the health hazards caused by the recycling and reusing operations and also include an analysis of the Government's
initiatives towards regulating e-waste industry.
Keywords: E-waste, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, environmental impact, health hazards.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
86
AGRICULTURE INSURANCE: A STEP TOWARDS CLIMATE
JUSTICE INITIATIVE
Parminder Kaur & Khushmani Kaur
Amity Law School, Delhi
pkdaid@gmail.com
kkhushmani@gmail.com
Everywhere we turn, the aftermath of climate change confronts us. Whenever we think of climate change;
though the images of polar bears, melting ice caps, flooded lands etc. are the first things that pop up in our minds,
there exist a human aspect to this story as well. Climate change does not only concern the environment, it is
also an issue of social justice. It is the people who belong to the lower income strata and specifically, the farmers
from developing nations, who bear the brunt of climate change in disproportionate manner.
Climatic changes which occur due to various anthropological activities lead to increased frequency of drought,
floods and other natural calamities etc. which effect the livelihood options of the millions of poor farmers. Even
the scientists agree that the greatest brunt of climate change's effects will be felt (and are being felt) by the world's
poorest people. Climate justice initiative is a vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens created by climate
change on the vulnerable farmers. Now the question remains as to what is the best way of protecting these farmers
from the disastrous impacts of climate change? Insurance could be an answer.
"Insurance is a financial arrangement whereby losses suffered by a few are met from the funds accumulated
from small contributions made by many who are exposed to similar risks." Publicly administered insurance schemes
have had Indian farmers under its ambit since 1972. The government is still attempting to strengthen agriculture
by protecting its farmers from weather through weather insurance scheme. There has been a shift from
conventional crop insurance scheme for ex. NAIS, towards various innovative insurance schemes but they too have
flaws.
These new strategies too have not been very successful in attenuating the difficulties faced by the poor
farmers. This paper evaluates the relative advantages and disadvantages of existing agriculture insurance schemes
in India and how insurance can alleviate the injustice faced by the farmers.
This paper also briefly discusses the agriculture insurance schemes practiced in other nations which can be
adopted by the government.
Keywords: climate change, farmers, climate justice initiative, social justice, India, agriculture, crop insurance, NAIS,
weather based insurance.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
87
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR
CLIMATE JUSTICE: "CLIMATE CHANGE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND
MORAL THRESHOLDS"
Arnaaz Ameer & Noyanika Batta
Gujarat National Law University
arnaaz.ameer@gmail.com
Over the past few decades, climate change has been causing unprecedented changes in the environment,
which shall in turn influence our life style, while having a significantly dramatic impact on our health, energy sources
and systems of food production.
Increasingly, however, there has been a growing concern that there has been a disproportionate impact of
climate change, in terms of a greater effect on those who already live under treacherous circumstances. Moreover,
climate change has the tendency of further aggravating the already existing inequalities faced by the vulnerable
sections. It threatens to undermine the realization of fundamental rights for many people and to reverse progress
made towards the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
A rising concern of global justice is the fact that those who are subjected the most to climate change are
the ones who contribute the least to it.
The idea of climate justice recognizes the fact that the richest countries have a greater duty to take action
as soon as possible, as they form a part of the key contributors in the causing of the problem. The bigger fear,
however, is that the international agreement reached between governments will add to the already unjust burden
on the poor and the vulnerable.
Climate change responses can be made more effective if human rights criteria are included when assessing
future harms, identifying areas of likely vulnerability and evaluating comparatively the various policy measures
available for treating identified challenges.
This paper shall focus on "Climate change, Human Rights and Moral Thresholds," by evaluating climate change
through the examination of the impact it has on human rights. It explores the implications of adopting a human
rights-oriented analysis of the impact of climate change, arguing that doing so has important ramifications. The
paper also looks into the international and national legal framework of climate justice in terms of the violation
of human rights.
Keywords:
• Climate Justice
• Human Rights
• Moral Thresholds
• Fundamental Rights
• International and Legal Framework
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
88
CLIMATE INJUSTICE FOR INDIAN FARMERS AND THE
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Sankalp Srivastava
sankalp957@gmail.com
This article shall focus on the justice for the farmers at the local level. Farmers at the local level are the most
affected by Global level changes and international law environment. The global warming affects the agriculture
and the farming at the local level and the villagers are the most affected by the crop failures and changes in
monsoons and weather patterns, therefore they are a party to the international and national legal framework
to the access of the farmers. The local and indigenous peoples are also another group that shall be analysed for
the protection of their rights against the various polluters of the environment. This paper aims to acknowledge
the efforts of the international law community to protect the dignity of these affected. The local peoples are
affected by the most affected corporate and national legal firms that create pollution in the environment. The
international community and the national community is also called the protectors of the rights. The market-based
communities are also affected by the climate justice, which includes fishmongerers. Not only does this climate
injustice that is prevalent in India affect the poor and rural farmers in the Indians affect the farmers, it indirectly
affects the entire country's Food Distribution System, the author shall seek to analyse the aforementioned effects
of climate change and justice in international law in India.
PRINCIPLES OF CLIMATE JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Somali Acharya & Paras Choudhary
Students, Symbiosis Law School, Noida
somali.acharya25@yahoo.com
paras_742000@yahoo.com
Climate justice is a term used for reviewing climate change as an ethical issue. The concept of climate justice
revolves around the recognition of the fact that those least responsible for climate change can experience greatest
impact of climate changes and thus justice should be done. Sustainable development is inalienable to climate
justice as the essence of climate justice comes from sustainable usage of resources. Sustainable development is
the principle guiding the usage of limited resources in such a way that the needs of future generation could also
be met. The authors will further be discussing policy formulation for climate change and climate justice in India
and role of farmers in the same.
Ethics and equity are two major principles of climate justice. And the problem is that the marginalised section
of the people who are most vulnerable and have low access to mitigation measures, are least acquainted with
the concept of climate justice. The authors will be highlighting the problems such as high dependency on agriculture
which is rain-fed and loss of farm lands on hills. We will also be studying the impact of climate change on farmers
who are untouched by technology and knowledge inputs. The problem exist in the matter that there is limited
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
89
research on the probable impact of climate change because of which there is poor awareness in the grass root
level and also in the policy formulation. The problem also arises due to the existing disparity between the urban
and rural areas, in urban areas people have better adaptive measures than in rural areas where there is less
awareness and hence people are left vulnerable to the climate change.
The authors will also be discussing usage of the term climate justice with reference to legal systems, where
justice is achieved through application and development of law in the area of climate change and justice from
a farmer's perspective in India.
GLOBALISATION AND CLIMATE JUSTICE
"THE INEVITABLE INTERFACE"
Konika Mitra & Nisha Sinha
Symbiosis Law School, Noida
konikamitra@gmail.com
nisha.sinha44@gamila.com
Climate change is a global issue. The composition of the atmosphere which surrounds the plant is altering
as a result of the emission of tonnes of polluting gases from industry, transportation, agriculture and from various
other practices and as a result, the entire planet is being affected by the erratic climate changes and its impacts.
Climate justice is an idea that there which emphasizes on the need to redress the imbalances of power which
have created the current conjuncture.
Climate justice strives to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens created by climate change. However, the
advances made through globalization create greater climate change challenges. On one hand globalistation
increases living standards, while on the other increases inequalities. The already suffering, suffer the greatest
burden of the costs in the form of the negative effects of climate change. Hence, in regard with this issue, the
paper shall highlight how globalization is becoming a barrier in the way of climate justice initiatives and how it
affects and is affecting the people and the world at large. The paper shall also discuss its impact on developed
and developing countries and the various future challenges posed in front of the world and due this the effect
on the upcoming generations. The paper shall further enlighten on what steps have been taken so far and what
all measures can be taken so as to speed up the process of climate justice before things get out of our hands
nd will give suggestions to balance the two, so as to answer one of the greatest future problems that stands in
front of the whole world, "climate change".
Keywords
• Climate change
• Climate justice
• Globalisation
• Initiative
• Developing and Developed countries.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
90
CLIMATE JUSTICE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK AND FARMER IN INDIA
Govind Singh Mohindra
Kshitij Mudgal
Faculty of Law, The ICFAI University, Dehradun
singh.govind518@yahoo.com
Climate justice is a terminology used after critical evaluation of the prevalent climate change scenario with
an ethical perspective and considering its impacts and consequences on justices pertaining to the environment
and society. Recent times in the country has witnessed a drastic change in the climate which has adversely affected
the urban working poor, the lives and livelihood of other hill people, fishing communities and other sections of
the society dependent upon natural resources. The need for the present government to take an initiative towards
an effective global and national policy for climate change should be at priority. As the economic development
and equitable growth of the country is strongly dependant on the use of fossil fuels and extractive industries,
this has led to a rise in carbon emissions which has started to deplete the environment and in contrast with the
policies of sustainable development. The stand of the government prior to the one coming to power in May was
debilitated on subjects of mitigation which is based on the per capita GHG (Greenhouse Gases) is a self-
contradictory statement as the levels of current GHG are low due to the present poverty levels. A step towards
development aimed at would result in the imminent increase in GHG levels. Other subjects which are found to
be baseless would be relating to adaptation of various schemes enacted for climate control, the transfer of
technology and the intellectual property aspects related to it. In addition to this, the financial aspect of allocation
of funds for such crisis should be done through participation in consultation at the national, state and local self-
governments. With the diverse climatic conditions found in different regions across the country and the abundance
of rich, fertile soil, the country still lags behind in ensuring food security due to lack of advanced scientific research
in agriculture, unavailability of modern machinery to farmers, lack of amenities in agricultural procedures and
financial support. Thus, these are the problems to be addressed at the grass root level. In this research paper,
we shall explicitly discuss these areas of critical matters to effect a constructive step for legislation for climate
justice. Previous international dispute resolutions involving international institutions like the World Bank had
increased their portfolio sighting climate change as a development concern. Various other institutions such as Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation and others play a vital role in climate justice initiative.
Key Words:
• Necessity of climate justice
• Institutional Frameworks
• Farmers at Present
• Kyoto Protocol
• Initiations to improve status quo
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
91
MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND JUSTICE INITIATIVES FOR
LIVESTOCK
Anshul Vijay Belsare
M. S. University, Baroda. Law Faculty
anshulbelsare@hotmail.com
Climate describes the long term averages for all weather parameters at a given place over a considerably
long period of time. Weather changes from time to time so climate also. Climate change in IPCC usage refers
to any change in climate overtime, which may be due to natural variability of human activities. This alters the
composition of global atmosphere; human has the capability to cope up with the consequences. But the others
do not have like the vegetation and milch mammals. In India agriculture crop production and livestock farming
are integrated activities as both are inter-dependent and affect each other and get affected by climate. Crop-
livestock mixed farming prevails in country with about 3/4th farmers having their livelihood through it. Livestock
performs multiple functions for farmer, which has good resilience to stress of climate, feed and water, but up
to certain limits only.
The major challenged faced by the farmer and livestock owner in India is that these changes in climate have
effect on animal production, reproduction along with emergence and re-emergence of many diseases. It indirectly
affects the livelihood of farmer. It has been estimated that the annual loss in total milk production on livestock
is around 2% amounting to Rs 2667 crs. There is a urgent need to evolve or adopt the mitigation strategies by
combining the indigenous traditional knowledge with modern science & technology to manage and protect the
livelihood of farmer associated with livestock against climate change.
At the local level the farmer is having livelihood on livestock, but not having proper method to keep them
healthy. The farmer has to keep them in good condition, genetically suited animal, low density is more important
for proper management, but in most of the cases they are poorly managed, high density and intensive practices
lead an injustice to the surviving livestock.
Usually farmer rear a bunch of cattle out of then only 50% are productive and he concentrates on them only
,while rest are neglected and because of that the other animals are ill-treated as in phase of feed or fodder. Thus
it is much essential by law to establish one observing body which monitors the local level livestock owners. The
problem created can be changed only by good management, adequate amount of water, feed, sustain body
temperature etc.
As for farmer the insurance of the livestock is available then its lawful observation is also essential .if such
body is created they should frame some rules like, if a farmer wants to rear more number of animals then he
should have in stock or have provision to feed them for next six months. The distinction of feeding for productive
and non-productive animal should not be made if the result regarding the farmer comes out that he is not able
to sustain them then body should immediately withdraw the livestock from farmer and relocate it to nearest
government farm or government aided livestock farm this increases the life of animal as well as provides justice
to them.
As the government is regularly granting the grant for livestock's but they are not getting justice and with the
establishment of such regulating body they may get good development and justice. This indirectly increases the
livelihood of farmer as well as the production capacity of the livestock, due to efficient management and limited
number of animals.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
92
CLIMATE JUSTICE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK AND FARMER IN INDIA
Aakash Gakhar
Harimohana N.
Symbiosis Law School, Noida
aakash.a.gakhar@gmail.com
This paper focuses on the positive effect of sustainable development, climate justice and institutional
framework, on the farmers in India.
Indian economy is an agrarian economy; more than one third of India's population generates employment
through agricultural sector. Agriculture depends mainly on various environmental phenomena and any change in
environment directly affects agricultural production and by that the farmers.
It is very essential for a developing country like India which has an agro based economy to aim for sustainable
development which can be achieved if there is well established Institutional frame work for the same. Such frame
work shall bring coherence, co-ordination; avoid duplication of efforts and reviewing progress in implementing
sustainable development. The three dimensions of Sustainable development are social development, economic
development and environmental framework. These three dimensions of sustainable development shall be
integrated by proper and effective frame work for achieving sustainable development. Moreover, this paper shall
also talk about mainstreaming of the three dimensions of sustainable development acknowledged in United
Nation's conference in Geneva in 2013.
Climate justice is another very essential ingredient which shall be very helpful to the farmers in India to increase
their agricultural output. Climate justice can be described as viewing change in climate as ethnic issue and relating
this concept to environmental justice. Extended droughts, crop failures, and conflict over scare resources are mainly
affect farmers as their primary source of income depends on agriculture and adverse change in climate results
in destruction of crops. Hence, Climate justice can be regarded as a very important ingredient in economically
uplifting the farmers in India and it would help keep a check and manage the main reasons of change in climate.
In this research paper; climate justice, sustainable development and institutional frame work for the upliftment
of the farmers in India shall be discussed at large. Also, current situation in India and necessary suggestions for
the same will be discussed in brief in this paper.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
93
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
CLIMATE JUSTICE IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Nainjyot Gandhi and Eva Bishwal
Symbiosis Law School, Noida
naina.gandhi22@gmail.com
evabishwal@gmail.com
Environment and Development are not two separate entities but linked together in a complex system of cause
and effect. Development is essential to the prosperity of the nation. However this burning desire for development
has far reaching impact on the environment especially the climate. Every developmental activity is bound to have
some repercussions on the climate/ environment and this cannot be overlooked. Today, we stand at the crossroads
in choosing between environment and development. Industrialization and technological advancement has resulted
in the increase of demand of natural resources and pollution. The developed countries have achieved a high
standard of living at the cost of depletion of environment. The developing countries on the other hand are still
struggling for a decent standard of living but are undoubtedly causing damage to the environment. It is a fact
that changes in the lifestyle of the people have relevance to the environmental problems; therefore living habits
are now the subject matter of environmental law for sustainable development. Hence it is very important to
maintain a balance between environment and development. To harmonize this conflict environment law has
evolved as a practical solution i.e. the tool of sustainable development.
In this context, in 1987, the term sustainable development was coined, embracing the three dimensions of
sustainability-Environmental protection, economic growth and social equity. One of the original descriptions of
sustainable development is credited to the Brundtland Commission: "Sustainable development is development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs" (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, p 43).The basic idea behind sustainable
development is that the current development must not compromise the ability of future generations to develop.
The paper examines the scope of the principle of sustainable development for the enhancement of climate justice,
environmental protection and the promotion of socio-economic development.
The research paper will deal with three major parts. First Part will delve in the history, concept & general
principles of sustainable development. Then in second, it will talk about the concept of International Environmental
Laws and Climate Justice. Then finally, it will outline in brief the role of judiciary and recommend solutions in
regarding to the concerned topic.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
94
ENSURING THE WELL BEING OF FARMERS - INITIATIVES BY
GOVERNMENT
Aastha Chaturvedi
asthachaturvedi.ilnu@gmail.com
Story Agriculture is demographically the broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall
socio-economic fabric of India. The written history of agriculture in India dates back to the Rig-Veda, written about
1100 BC. Today, India ranks second worldwide in farm output. Agriculture and allied sectors like forestry and
fisheries accounted for 13.7% of the GDP in 2013 about 50% of the total workforce.
Climate change and agriculture are interrelated processes, both of which take place on a global scale.
Agriculture has been shown to produce significant effects on climate change, primarily through the production
and release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, but also by altering the
Earth's land cover, which can change its ability to absorb or reflect heat and light, thus contributing to radioactive
forcing. Land use change such as deforestation and desertification, together with use of fossil fuels, are the major
anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide; agriculture itself is the major contributor to increasing methane and
nitrous oxide concentrations in Earth's atmosphere.
As agriculture in India is highly susceptible to risks like droughts and floods and today, we are not only self-
sufficient but have also made steady progress in becoming a feeder to the world and our farmers are the unsung
heroes of this untold story and life in a village is no longer a clichéd bundle of miseries and to ensure credit eligibility
of for this purpose, the Government of India introduced many agricultural schemes throughout the country. For
this purpose, the Government of India introduced many agricultural schemes throughout the country as mentioned
below:-
1 Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme
2 Experimental Crop Insurance
3 Farm Income Insurance Scheme
4 National Agriculture Insurance Scheme
The paper will shed light upon following aspects:-
• Agriculture in India and impacts of climate change on its development
• Role of Farmers
• Agricultural Insurance in India
• Initiatives taken by India through various Schemes and Programmes
• Conclusion
• Suggestions
The researcher will be using non-doctrinal and empirical research technique of research methodology.
Key Words: (Agriculture, Climate change and Insurance)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
95
DEMANDING CLIMATE JUSTICE: GOVERNMENT'S ROLE AND
PARTICIPATION
Abhas Srivastava & Shriya Agarwal
Institute of Law, Nirma University
13bal056@nirmauni.ac.in
13bal063@nirmauni.ac.in
Climate justice is an ideological womb child of Climate change. Severe decline in the health of environment
has resulted in climate change around the globe. Anticipating and realising the catastrophic results of climate
change on the mankind, Climate Justice has evolved as a vision to dissolve and alleviate the unequal burdens
created by climate change. It cannot be denied that mankind itself is to be blamed for the widespread turbulences
in the environment. Everyone whether he or she has consciously contributed or not to the climate change; is
experiencing the ill consequences of it and is helpless in obtaining any immediate relief from its ill consequences.
Hence, the onus to cure our ailing environment and bring Climate Justice is upon mankind and if collective efforts
are not made; then this yet to be achieved dream of a healthy environment will turn out to be a tragic nightmare.
This paper will deal with the primary and ancillary role of the Government to bring Climate Justice. The first
part of this paper briefly deals with the origin of the concept of Climate Justice and establishes climate change
as an issue of justice. We argue that climate change is not just an environmental challenge but also fundamentally
a threat to socio-ecological and economic systems that undermines the development process and places a
disproportionate burden on developing countries. With special reference to statues and government policies in
India, we shall comment upon the sensitivity of the Government and its willingness to deal with the issue of Climate
Justice. Second part of the paper would deal with the role of Government and would examine the same elaborately
in a two-fold manner. Firstly, the legislative role of Government i.e. how and to what effect the existing and
operational laws on environment can secure and materialise the goal of Climate Justice. Secondly, non-legislative
roles that include all initiatives and measures that Government should take (other than law-making) to achieve
and fulfil the said goal. At a concluding note we shall speculate briefly upon the need to maintain a fine balance
between the continuing developmental process and at the same time ensuring climate justice.
Keywords- Climate change, Climate Justice, Collective Rights, Government role, Environment Laws, Innovations,
and Initiatives etc.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
96
GLOBAL WARMING VIS A VIS FARMING RIGHTS: A STUDY ON THE
INDIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Dr Diganta Biswas
Prof. George K Jose,
Professor, School of Law, Christ University
george.jose@christuniversity.in
diganta.biswas@christuniversity.in
Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature due to effect of greenhouse gases,
such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would
otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect. One of the most important impacts of global
warming is the Changes in rainfall patterns which is likely to cause droughts and fires in some areas, flooding in
other areas. Hence, if we draw our attention to the farming community, then we would realise that they are facing
biggest challenge of climate change as the adversity is affecting the soils, waters and other biological parameters
which ultimately affects their livelihood as the farming community all over the word are very much dependent
on weather. Any change in the weather pattern may even cause the failure of crops. Hence, the global warming
is posing a serious threat which is likely to bring catastrophic results for the mankind in terms of food insecurity
to the entire world livelihood loss to the farming community until and unless some positive effort is initiated in
legal front to regulate the behavior of people to survive.
This paper is likely to explore the legal development in this connection worldwide with a special emphasis
to India.
RE-WORSHIPING THE ENVIRONMENT: INDIA'S ENVIRONMENTAL
POLICIES AND CLIMATE JUSTICE
Avnish Oza & Gauri Jasana
Students, Institute of Law, Nirma University Ahmedabad
oza.avnish5@gmail.com
Since time immemorial India has always believed in the mantra of working in harmony with the environment.
Its consciousness and sensitivity with regards to environment can be reflected in various shlokas from the vedas,
which portray various elements like air, water, land and other components of nature as holy deities. This article
would emphasise the need of rejuvenating and re- inculcating the same faith into framing of current policies on
environment and development.
In the paper the author would be discussing the development of policies and laws in India post-Independence.
Emphasise would be put greatly on discussing the Environment (protection) Act, laws relating to Hazardous Waste
Management, Laws relating to Pollution Control, and National Environment Policy (2006). The paper shall also
discuss introduction of Climate Justice and Sustainable Development in India through principles of Inter- generational
Equity, Public Trust Doctrine, Polluters pay Principle and the Precautionary Principle through various landmark
case laws and Judicial Prouncements.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
97
The paper would also discuss the national policies on Project Clearance and Environment Impact Assessment
in comparison with International standards. The author shall endeavour to analyse the debate on carbon emission
between the developed countries and the developing countries and try to reach a possible solution in the same.
The main objective of the paper would be suggesting policies through which Climate justice, Economic Development
and Sustainable Development could be achieved simultaneously.
Keywords: Climate Justice, Sustainable Development, National Environment Policy, Envionment Impact Assessment.
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE FOR ENSURING CLIMATE CHANGE
JUSTICE IN INDIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE STATE OF
GUJARAT
Jagadeesh Chandra T G
Assistant Professor of Law, Gujarat National Law University
jchandra@gnlu.ac.in
Saurabh Anand
Assistant Professor of Sociology, Gujarat National Law University
IN INDIA farmers are dealing with problems arising out of extreme Climate change. The climate change leads
to more intense heat or cold, abnormally high or low moisture and altered weather patterns. The impact of climate
change in turn leads to uncertainty in agriculture production, soil moisture, water availability, and many fish and
shellfish species to shift, which could disrupt ecosystems. Overall, climate change could make it more difficult
to grow crops, raise animals, and catch fish in the same ways and same places. The effects of climate change
also need to be considered along with other evolving factors that affect changes in farming practices and
technology. Crop insurance will play a critical role in helping Indian farmers to face this uncertainty by enabling
them to better deal with climate change and to rebound from its extremes. Every day we depend on the goods
and products produced by farmers. The crop insurance is very essential for agricultural economy and provides
an important measure and confidence, stability for agricultural producers. The vision statement of the Agricultural
Insurance Company Ltd says that firstly accelerate the economic momentum of the nation of the nation by bringing
financial stability to rural India, secondly innovate and develop rural oriented and farmer friendly insurance product
for all agricultural and allied risks, and finally cast a protective net over agricultural and allied activities from natural
perils and risks. If this being a vision statement of the AIC, the government should address the issues in their
policies and rules, regulations and amend the existing legislations to compulsory offer policies for farmers for
climate change damages.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
98
Persistent Climatic Risks, Indian Agriculture and the Innovative
Insurance Solutions with Special Reference to Weather Based
Crop Insurance Scheme - An Appraisal
Dr. Jyothi Vishwanath
Assistant Professor of Law, University Law College & P.G.Department of Studies & Research in Law,
Bangalore University, Bangalore, INDIA,
drjyothiv012@gmail.com
With inherent abilities of stimulating economic growth, generating employment, assuring food security,
reducing poverty and sustaining environment, agriculture summates as a crucial sector across the globe. As per
FAO statistics, 2014, India is second worldwide in farm output; is largest producer of many fresh fruits and
vegetables, milk, millets; is second largest producer of wheat and rice; is one among the world's five largest
producers of over 80% of agricultural produce and poultry meat; is the largest employment generator. Despite
these appreciable statistics, Agriculture Growth Rate in India GDP has declined over the years due to variety of
risks affecting the agricultural yields ranging from production risks, price risks, credit risks, technological risks,
institutional risks, natural catastrophes, pest and diseases risk, climate variability and change risk, frequent natural
disasters risk, risk of yield and price uncertainty, risks relating to weak rural infrastructure, imperfect markets and
lack of financial services including limited span and design of risk mitigation instruments such as credit and
insurance and poor farmer access to these instruments.
The Fourth Assessment Report, 2014 of United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
substantiates that reliable food supply can no longer be taken for granted on a hotter planet and negative impacts
of climate trends are more common than the positive ones. Climate has always presented a challenge to the
livelihoods depending on weather. The overall relationship between weather and yields is moreover crop and
region specific since it depends on the differences in baseline climate, management and soil apart from the
duration and timing of crop exposure to various conditions. Climatic changes tend to increase insect-predation,
crop diseases, migration of agronomic and invasive weeds and lead to variations in the weed demographics.
The Asian-Pacific region experiences nearly 60% of the world's natural disasters and India is worst affected
due to its geographical position and climate. Temperature rise, erratic rainfall pattern, recurrent droughts, floods,
earthquakes, cyclones, pests, diseases and plethora of weather related natural disasters lead to enormous loss
in the agricultural production, endangers the farmer's livelihood and farm incomes, thereby preventing agriculture
sector from emerging as a potent solution to the rural poverty and food insecurity. Weather based disasters
devastate the country with grim regularity, spiraling out of control with increased frequency, causing tremendous
injury, disability, disease and death adding to the health, economic and social burden of an already impoverished
Indian economy. Resultantly the total cultivable land has shrunk to 182.385 million hectare in 2008-09 against
185.142 million hectare in 1988-89. Further, out of 60.47% of total cultivable land in India, 28% is drought-prone.
This renders the agriculture based Indian economy wretched. To revive our vulnerable farm sector from the shocks
of climatic variations and to combat losses in agricultural operations, many governmental innovative insurance
schemes have been launched at times including First Individual Approach Scheme, Pilot Crop Insurance Scheme,
All-Risk Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme, Experimental Crop Insurance Scheme, National Agricultural
Insurance Scheme, Pilot Scheme on Seed Crop Insurance, Farm Income Insurance, Livestock Insurance, Weather
Based Crop Insurance/Rainfall Insurance (WBCIS) and National Crop Insurance Program etc. Amongst these
schemes, WBCIS is the most innovative technology based agricultural insurance scheme wherein the insurance
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
99
losses due to vagaries, inadequacies and cruelties of weather, i.e., excess or deficit rainfall, aberrations in sunshine,
temperature and humidity could be covered on the basis of weather index and the claim is payable on the basis
of any recorded deviations from standard weather parameters. It operates on the premise that weather conditions
affect crop production even when a cultivator has taken all the care to ensure good harvest. In this backdrop,
this paper attempts to focus on the WBCIS and its development in India. It examines the nature of Indian
agriculture, climatic risks impacting Indian agriculture and the history of agriculture insurance in India. It provides
elaborate account of WBCIS, need for its emergence, its characteristic features and benefits to the farmers, claim
settlement mechanism and its advantages over the other traditional agricultural insurance schemes. It also focuses
on the deficiencies in the WBCIS and the needful action for rendering WBCIS more farmers friendly and cost
effective.
Key Words: Indian Agriculture, Climatic Risks, Farmer, Crop, Agricultural Insurance, WBCIS.
AN INSIGHT INTO AGRICULTURE INSURANCE IN INDIA
Vaishnavi Shukla
Shubham Kejriwal
Students, Institute of Law, Nirma University
12BBL025@nirmauni.ac.in
vaishnavi_1393@yahoo.co.in
Agricultural insurance is one method by which farmers can stabilize farm income and investment from the
disastrous effect of crop losses due to natural hazards or low market prices. Crop insurance not only stabilizes
the farm income but also helps the farmers to initiate production activity after the bad agricultural year. Crop
insurance forms an important component of safety net programs being implemented in many developed countries
governments often play an active role in helping producers to manage risk successfully.
The crop output, particularly food grains, is sensitive to variations in rainfall. Secondly, there is very high
complementary connection between rainfall and input use particularly fertilizer application. In the year of deficient
rainfall, crop yields go down steeply because of deficient soil moisture and significant reduction in the use of inputs.
Due to the shift in the climatic condition over a period and scattered rainfall the crop production is always uncertain
and is always at risk
Crop insurance is based on the principle of large number. It protects farmers' investment in crop production
and thus improves their risk bearing capacity. Crop insurance facilitates adoption of improved technologies,
encourages higher investment resulting in higher agricultural production. Crop credit insurance also reduces the
risk of becoming defaulter of institutional credit. The reimbursement of indemnities in the case of crop failure
enables the farmer to repay his debts and thus, his credit line with the formal financial institutions is maintained
intact..
Considering the overwhelming impact of nature on agricultural output and its disastrous consequences on
the society in general and farmers in particular, here an attempt is made to looks at the challenges of providing
insurance to Indian agricultural sector in a manner that is both meaningful and sustaining through private as well
as government institutions.
Keyword: Crop, Insurance, Climate Change
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
100
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE AND ITS ROLE IN MITIGATING RISKS
IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY
Pukhraj Agarwal
Assistant Professor, School of Law, Christ University
pukhraj.agarwal@christuniversity.in
Bharat Rajvanshi
Student, Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
India is an agrarian country where two third of its one billion population depends directly or indirectly on
agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture also contributes approximately 18% of GDP. The Indian business cycle
is influenced by the crop pattern that mainly depends on the vagaries of nature; every flood or drought has its
own impact on the Indian economy. Agri-business encompasses whole lot of activities of agriculture sector under
one umbrella, like integration of production, processing and marketing. The process starts at the product level
and reaches out to the final consumers.
Agriculture production and farm incomes in India are frequently affected by natural disasters such as droughts,
floods, cyclones, storms, landslides and earthquakes. Susceptibility of agriculture to these disasters is compounded
by the outbreak of epidemics and man-made disasters such as fire, sale of spurious seeds, fertilizers and pesticides,
price crashes etc. All these events severely affect farmers through loss in production and farm income, and they
are beyond the control of the farmers. With the growing commercialization of agriculture, the magnitude of loss
due to unfavorable eventualities is increasing. The question is how to protect farmers by minimizing such losses.
In recent times, mechanisms like contract farming and futures trading have been established which are expected
to provide some insurance against price fluctuations directly or indirectly. But, agricultural insurance is considered
an important mechanism to effectively address the risk to output and income resulting from various natural and
manmade events. Agricultural Insurance is a means of protecting the agriculturist against financial losses due to
uncertainties that may give rise to agricultural losses arising from named or all unforeseen perils beyond their
control. Unfortunately, agricultural insurance in the country has not made much headway even though the need
to protect Indian farmers from agriculture variability has been a continuing concern of agriculture policy. Despite
technological and economic advancements, the condition of farmers continues to be unstable due to natural
calamities and price fluctuations. In some extreme cases, these unfavorable events become one of the factors
leading to farmer's suicides which are now assuming serious proportions.
KEYWORDS: Agricultural Insurance; Agricultural Losses; Farming Risks, Policies; Protecting Farmers.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
101
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE IN INDIA
Rushali Srivastava
Spandan Saxena
Students, Institute of Law, Nirma University
13bll043@nirmauni.ac.in
13bll045@nirmauni.ac.in
'Climate change is as much human nature as mother nature'
Agriculture plays a two-fold role in climate change: on the one hand, it's severely littered with climate change;
on the opposite hand it's a big contributor to gas emissions. Impact of change in climate affects agriculture in
two ways, i.e. firstly the biophysical impacts which includes increased weed, rise in sea level and temperature
etc. and secondly the socio economic impacts which includes migration and civil unrest, changes in yield and
production, greater fluctuations in world market prices etc. According to World Meteorological Organization,
temperature change will adversely impact international surroundings, agricultural productivity and also the quality
of human life. More significantly in developing countries, it'll be troublesome for farmers to hold on farming within
the exaggerated temperatures. Recognizing this, it's necessary that India ought to address the difficulty of
temperature change and specialize in providing higher surroundings to enhance quality of human life. The monsoon
accounting for seventy fifth of India's rain considerably impacts country's agriculture and bread and butter of tens
of numerous small farmers. According to FAO, "ocean warming, frequent tropical cyclones, flash floods and
droughts are likely to bring a devastating impact on food production systems in Pacific islands countries." The
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is one in all the eight missions in India's National action set up on
global climate change. It stresses how crucial agriculture is to India's economy and the living of its folks, since
the agriculture sector supports quite half the country's population of over one billion folks. Farmer Field Schools
represent a practical group based approach to guide farmers who study hands on agricultural adaption process.
The research paper focuses on the crisis faced by the Indian farmers due to the adverse effect of the climate
change and how successful has the governmental policies been to provide and implement the finest solutions
to their problems.
Keywords: Agriculture, Farmer, Policies, Adaptation, Climate, Schemes
GOVERNMENT POLICIES: ARE THEY REALLY EFFECTIVE IN
13CURBING POLLUTION
Udit Dhaddha
Shubhanshu Khandelwal
Students, Institute of Law, Nirma University
12bbl026@niramuni.ac.in
India is a country of many seasons with high fertility soil spread throughout country. But the flora and fauna
of the country is severely deteriorating due to rapid change in the climatic conditions. Climate Change is a serious
global environmental concern. It is primarily caused by the building up of Green House Gases (GHG) in the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
102
atmosphere. The global increases in carbon dioxide concentration are due primarily to fossil fuel use and land
use change, while those of methane and nitrous oxide are primarily due to agriculture. Global Warming is a specific
example of the broader term "Climate Change" and refers to the observed increase in the average temperature
of the air near earth's surface and oceans in recent decades. Its effect particularly on developing countries is
adverse as their capacity and resources to deal with the challenge is limited.
The government of India has brought in many laws to keep a check on factories and other sources of causing
pollutions which leads to worsening of climate. Though these laws have not been much effective in keeping a
check on the pollution level and hence many other ways also needs to be adapted to as to curb the misuse of
our precious environment.
This paper envisages elucidating all the laws present to keep a check on climate change and forthwith suggest
some measures to be brought in, in order to make these laws more effective. This paper will also through light
on the measures to be taken to enhance agricultural production by bringing mandatory changes in agricultural
laws related to pollutant levels in the fertilizers, pesticides and infanticides.
Keywords: laws, climate, pollution.
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVE IN
INDIA: AN INDIAN FARMER'S STORY
Pratibha Sharma & Sanyami Shah
Student, Auro University School of Law
pratibha.sharma@aurouniversity.edu.in
sanyami.shah.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
Agricultural productivity in India is at risk of severe losses as the climate changes. High temperatures, increased
drought, and flooding all can lead to large scale crop failure, as well as to slower productivity losses due to soil
degradation. As all of us are aware about the unfortunate deaths of farmers in India who got caught in a debt
trap and the devastating affect it had on their families. In this paper, we try to trace the genesis of the Agriculture
insurance scheme and climate justice towards farmer and its effectiveness.
Keywords: vulnerability towards climatic change, need for crop insurance, linking adaptation towards development.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
103
CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND EXTREMES: PREDICTING THE FUTURE
COURSE OF AGRICULTURE IN INDIA
Dr. Rashmi Nagpal
Dean, Geeta Institute of Law
deanlaw@geeta.edu.in
Needless to say that climate is changing naturally at its own pace since the beginning of the evolution of
earth, but presently, the reason for its gaining momentum is due to inadvertent anthropogenic disturbances. These
changes may culminate in adverse impact on human health and the biosphere on which we depend. The multi-
faceted interactions among the humans, microbes and the rest of the biosphere have started reflecting an increase
in the concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs), causing warming across the globe along with other cascading
consequences in the form of shift in rainfall pattern, melting of ice, rise in sea level etc. Agriculture sector alone
represents 23 per cent of India's Gross National Product (GNP), plays a crucial role in the country's development
and shall continue to occupy an important place in the national economy. It sustains the livelihood of nearly 70%
of the population. It seems obvious that any significant change in climate on a global scale will impact local
agriculture, and therefore affect the world's food supply. Considerable studies have been carried out to investigate
how farming might be affected in the different regions. Several uncertainties limit the accuracy of current
projections. One relates to the degree of temperature increase and its geographic distribution. Another pertains
to the concomitant changes likely to occur in the precipitation patterns that determine the water supply to the
crops, and the evaporative demand imposed on the crops in carbon dioxide enriched atmosphere. The problems
of predicting the future course of agriculture in the changing world are compounded by the fundamental
complexity of natural agricultural systems, and socio-economic systems governing the world food supply and
demand. The above multifarious interactions among atmospheric composition, climate change and human, plant
and animal health need to be scrutinized and probable solutions to the undesirable changes may be sought. This
paper considers the needed adaptation measures including changes needed for mitigation to improve agriculture
sector in India. It considers the likely changes that climate change will bring in temperature, precipitation and
extreme rainfall, drought, flooding, storms, sea-level rise and environmental health risks and the overall impact
on agriculture. The agricultural sector is the major source of employment in our country. Climate change has
adverse impacts on agriculture, hydropower, forest management and biodiversity.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND IT'S EFFECT ON INDIAN ECONOMY
Nisarg Shah & Divyam Joshi
Student, Auro University School of Law
nisarg.shah.bballb14 @aurouniversity.edu.in
Change in climate is one of the most threatening issues worldwide. Sea level is rising high, rainfall is very
unpredictable, global warming is increasing and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. India is
an agricultural country. More than half of India's population resides in rural areas and is dependent on the climate's
sensitive sectors like agriculture, poultry, forests and fisheries for fulfilling their basic needs.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
104
This paper focuses on how climate change affects the source of revenue of humans, ensuing in a need for
adaptation in key development sectors. There is thus a direct link between adaptation and development. Features
of climate change adaptation includes : making use of climate information, applying a cost benefit rationale,
broadening climate risk management, improving coordination and communication among involved stakeholders,
making use of good practices and innovations.
This paper also draws attention to how institutional framework can bring about changes for adaptation and
also to provide the opportunity to consider climate risks from the development planning phase.
The general Adaptation framework outlines are as follows:
• The engagement of relevant expertise and stakeholders.
• Institutional arrangements at different tiers.
• A special workshop that addresses damages associated with events due to climate change.
In addition to topics, it is necessary to work hand on hand at farm level as well as community based adaptation.
We must keep in mind the beneficiary measures that a farmer can take to sustain in adverse effect caused by
climate change.
THE NEW REGIME FOR PROTECTION OF FRAMER'S RIGHT:
THE PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETIES AND FARMER'S
RIGHTS ACT, 2001
Dipali A. Purohit
Research Scholar, South Gujarat Veer Narmad University Surat.
d_purohit63@yahoo.com
After the Independence, our parliament had passed many laws for protection of rights of farmers. Before
this Act, agriculture generally excluded from IPR protection India and we had no legal system of Plant Breeder's
Rights or Farmer's Rights for decades. However, after India became signatory to the Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights Agreements in 1994 such a legislation was necessity. Article 27.3 (b) of this agreement
requires the member countries to provide for protection of plant varieties either by a patent or by an effective
sui generis system or by any combination thereof. India is the first country among the countries in the world to
have passed legislation granting framers' rights in the form of the protection of this Act. The existing Indian Patent
Act, 1970 excluded agriculture and horticultural methods of production from patentability. The sui generis system
for protection of plant varieties were developed integrating the rights of breeders, farmers and village communities,
and taking care of the concerns for equitable sharing of benefits. Different rights are given to the framers like
the right to save and exchange and to a limited extent sell seeds and propagating material, to register verities,
to recognition and reward for conservation of varieties to benefit sharing, to information about expected
performance of variety, compensation for failure of variety to perform etc. The Act recognizes the farmer not
just as a cultivator but also as a conserver of the seed and a breeder who has bred several successful varieties.
The drawback is that farmers will not have benefit uniformly because the corporate companies would focus on
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
105
hybrid seed production, which would involve technology-backed farming. Farmers belonging to lower of middle
class would not able to match up due to lack of awareness, capital and skills. Multi National seed companies would
always have the edge over farmers due to their patented or licensed technology in the agriculture sector solution
to these problems would be to increase expenditure of plant breeding technologies to reach out to the poor and
increase awareness of biotechnology amongst the lower classes.
Key Words: Plant Breeder's Rights, Framer's Rights, Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreements,
sui generis
HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chetana Rathi & Manish Mulchandani
Student, Auro University, School of Law, Surat
Chetana.rathi.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
manish.mulchandani.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
The first rights-based approach, perhaps closest to that, understands environmental protection as a pre-
condition to the enjoyment of internationally guaranteed human rights, especially the right to life and health.
Environmental protection is thus an essential instrument in the effort to secure the effective universal enjoyment
of human rights. Those who pollute or destroy the natural environment are not just committing a crime against
nature, but are violating human rights as well, Environmental protection and human rights are interrelated,
interconnected, and mutually responsive as both of them intended to the well-being of humanity. Safe and healthy
environment is the pre-condition for the enjoyment of fundamental human rights. The linkage between these
two approaches has been recognized in various international and national agencies which consider the human
rights framework as an effective means to achieving the ends of environment protection. A state of natural
imbalance has been developed by many human-centric activities such as the industrialization, urbanization and
the large scale exploitation of natural resources damaging the environment led to many serious repercussions
on a large scale including Global Warming, drought, flood, environmental Refugees and migration, health issue,
Ozone Depletion. Such issues involves not only environmental factors but other factors as well i.e. political, social,
economic factors. The research paper is intended to describe the interlink between environmental protection and
human rights approaches by analyzing instruments, initiatives taken by environmental and human rights bodies
and the judicial pronouncement of various tribunals. Further it also evaluates how far the mechanism of human
rights is helpful to provide remedies to the victim of environmental degradation and to provide better protection
to the global environment.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
106
CLIMATE JUSTICE: AN INITIATIVE AND TECHNICAL MECHANISM
Vidhi Tamakuwala & Kayan Dordi
Student, Auro University, School of Law, Surat
vidhi.tamakuwala.bballb14@aurouniversity.edu.in
kayan.dordi.bballb14@aurouniversity.edu.in
Climate change is the ultimate international problem because of its gravity and of the geographical reach of
causes and effects. Globalization is the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world
views, products, ideas and other aspects of culture. Climate justice is generally used as a term for viewing climate
change as an ethical issue and considering how its causes and effects relate to concepts of justice, particularly
environmental justice. Climate justice initiative seeks to generate research and analysis on the global climate
negotiations, and on the links between the global climate regime and domestic laws, policies and institutions in
India. It also seeks to create a platform from which scholars and activists can engage in policy and academic debate
on climate change. Every Indian citizen has a fundamental duty to protect the environment as enshrined in Article
51(g). Even some rights have been made available under the constitution. Right to life under Article 21 of the
constitution of India includes a right to a healthy environment. The 2 terms may look totally unrelated at first,
but giving a deeper thought, the gap can be beautifully abridged and we find that both have been synergizing
each other with or without our awareness. The whole world should come together to fight against this evil of
society. The developed countries should help 3rd world countries in understanding what is climate justice and
financially help them to adopt new eco friendly techniques. The perspective has to be much broader and the
world has to sit together to tackle the issue. The global climate justice comes here into picture to enforce actions
and laws on a global scale, along with our local awareness. Law may be in a position to fill gaps present in the
international climate change at a global stage only when there is awareness regarding the same.
Key words: Scrubber, Cyclone separator, Gravity setting chamber, Electrostatic precipitator, Bag filter
INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
AN ANALYSIS WITH REFERENCE TO LIVELIHOOD CHALLENGES OF
FARMERS IN SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES
Dr. Azim B. Pathan & Mr. Manoj Kumar
Faculty, Hidayatullah National Law University
azimkhan@hnlu.ac.in
manojkumar@hnlu.ac.in
In this research paper authors have attempted to examine national and international legal instruments and
policies relating to climate change and sustainable development through the lense of livelihood challenges for
farmers. Authors have also attempted to explore the farmers concern in different national and international legal
instruments, declarations and policies. This paper also finds out an impact of climate change on farmers and
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
107
agricultural sector, which is the backbone of economy for many South Asian countries. Despites of the efforts
of different international organizations, still problems like, climate change induced livelihood challenges for
farmers, food security problems etc. in South Asian countries including Bangladesh, China and India, are persisting.
Besides, in this paper authors have vigorously argued that concern of farmers is only the missing link between
climate change induced problems and sustainable development. Sustainable development will be a reality when
livelihood challenges of farmers and especially agricultural sector will be addressed in the climate change related
legal and policy documents. This paper takes a broader view and explores the multiple effects that climate change
can have on farmers, food production and food security. It also tries to explore an adaptation and mitigation
measures, especially in the agricultural sector with reference to farmers of South Asian countries.
Keywords: Farmer, Policy, International Legal Instrument, Sustainable Development, Climate change, Livelihood,
South Asian Countries etc.
RIGHTS OF FARMERS INDIA
Umair Multani & Akshay Anand
Students, Auro University, School of Law, Surat
umair.multani.bballb14@aurouniversity.edu.in
akshay.anand,bballb14@aurouniversity.edu.in
"The one who produces food for the world dies out of hunger." It's an ironic statement but very true in India.
The farmers in India are committing suicides at a high rate due to poverty. Do these poor people have rights?
Do they know about it? We were taught that agriculture is the main occupation in India. At the time of
Independence the population engaged in agricultural activities was 73% of the total population of India. According
to census 2001 approximately 57% people are engaged in agriculture. So with this major population engaged in
agricultural activities shouldn't the government preserve their rights? The government has taken various steps
to protect the rights of the farmers and enacted various laws for farmers like The Protection of Plant Variety and
Farmers Rights Act 2001. Agriculture in India plays a very important role in employment generation and GDP rate
in India but as per the recent economic survey there was a decline in agriculture sector's capital formation in
GDP. India one of the first countries in the world to pass a legislation on Farmers right. The laws are enacted
but are they implemented? Implementation is only possible when the laws are known to everyone. This research
is done to explain the problem of implementation in laws. Laws are enough but implementation is not done.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
108
CLIMATE CHANGE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER -
A WAY TOWARDS MITIGATION OF GLOBAL WARMING
Jacob George Panickasseril,
LL.M (IPR), NALSAR, Hyderabad
Bhumika Nanda,
Assistant Professor of Law, ILNU, Nirma University
bhumika.nanda@nirmauni.ac.in
The Kyoto Protocol as drawn by the world leaders in the year 1997 was a mechanism to set rolling the
commitments made in the UNFCCC. Given the fact that the commitment to mitigate the climate change was
founded on an uneven and unsteady platform, the Kyoto Protocol was framed with the underlying principle of
'common but differentiated responsibility' wherein the countries while agreeing on the common responsibility
of stabilization of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere also accepted the differential responsibility.
Therefore, apart from three 'flexibility mechanisms' as employed by the Protocol, it also emphasized upon the
cooperation and support amongst the nations which includes but not limited to financial and technical support
to countries whose economies are developing or in transition. Article 4.5 of UNFCCC and similarly Article 10 c
of the Kyoto Protocol "requires the developed countries to take all practicable steps to promote, facilitate, the
transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound technologies and know-how to developing countries to enable
them to implement the protocol". However, the practical realities are far different and muddled with political as
well as economic constraints thereby impeding the process of efficiency in all modes of productions. Through this
article the authors are endeavoring to explore, analyze and evaluate the pattern of technology transfer as adopted
by major developed countries with respect to India and in particular to agricultural practices and to observe
whether the said process is leading to development of not only the clean and energy efficient technologies but
also development of local capacity, skills and know-how and advancement of domestic infrastructure.
Keywords: Technology Development; Agriculture; Clean Development Mechanism; Kyoto Protocol; India; Sustainable
Development; Energy
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
109
COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE: A SAARC PERSPECTIVE
Owais Hasan Khan & Anwesha Pal
Assistant Professor(s) of Law, Nirma University
owais.khan@nirmauni.ac.in
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was established by seven south Asian nations1 with the
intention of securing all-round cooperation involving various area of concern. One of the area to which SAARC
has given enormous importance is the environment and the threat which has been posed by climatic change world
around.2 Since its very inception, SAARC at successive summits reiterated and buttressed the cause of environmental
protection. And the need for further strengthening instrumentalities through which regional cooperation can be
achieved for preserving and protecting the eco-system of the region from challenges posed by climate change.
During third and fourth SAARC summit held in Kathmandu3 and Islamabad4 various environmental issues were
raised ranging from causes and consequences of natural disaster5 to greenhouse effect and its impact on the region
were discussed. However, the concrete step towards the environmental protection was taken with the establishment
of Technical Committee on Environment in 1992 and the formulation of SAARC Environment Action Plan in 1997.
And finally an exclusive action plan was formulated for combating climate change with SAARC Action Plan on
Climate Change of 2008. This paper proposes to present an analysis of various SAARC measures and action plans
regarding climatic change in particular and environment protection in general. Along with discussion on how far
these measure and action plan has been able to achieve what it has targeted.
Keywords: SAARC, Environmental Protection and Preservation, Environmental action plan, Climate Change Action
plan.
1 Presently Member nations to SAARC are eight in number with India, Pakistan. Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka as
the founding members. Afghanistan later joined the association in 2005. Along with members, SAARC also have 9 observers-nations.2 There are sixteen areas of cooperation under SAARC which are as follows:-
a) Agricultural and Rural Development.
b) Biotechnology
c) Culture
d) Economic and Trade
e) Education
f) Energy
g) Environment
h) Finance
i) Funding Mechanism
j) Information, Communication and Media
k) People-to-people Contacts
l) Poverty Alleviation
m) Science and Technology
n) Security Aspects
o) Social Development
p) Tourism3 2-4 November 19874 29-21 December 19885 "Regional Study on the Causes and Consequences of Natural Disasters and the Protection and Preservation of
Environment"
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
110
THE LEGAL REGIME OF CLIMATE JUSTICE
Aishwarya Agarwal & Vimal Jain
Students, Auro University, School of Law, Surat
aishwarya.agarwal.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
vimal.jain.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
Climate justice is generally used as a term for viewing climate change as an ethical issue and considering how
its causes and effects relate to concepts of justice, particularly environmental justice and social justice . This can
mean examining issues such as equality, human rights, collective rights and historical responsibility in relation to
climate change. Recognizing and addressing the fact that those least responsible for climate change experience
its greatest impacts is seen by many as being central to climate justice. The term is also used with reference to
legal system, where justice is achieved through application and development of law in the area of climate change.
The national and international law helps to protect the natural environment and people from the adverse impacts
of climate change. The research paper intents to bring into notice the international and national laws and agencies
which try to reduce the impact of climate change. The paper also emphases on the countries which are at far
responsible for the climate change. The research work focuses mainly on the law which protects the population
from the adverse effects of the climate change and also the principles of climate justice. The paper also brings
into light the work of few agencies which have worked towards educating the industrialist on the climate change.
We will also the international initiative towards the issue of climate justice and how India contributed towards
those initiatives by being a part of such conventions and implementing such initiatives in the form of local laws.
Keywords: Climate change, justice, conventions, national and international justice
CLIMATE JUSTICE PREROGATIVE: CALLING OF COLLABORATIVE
EFFORT WITH CONSIDERATION TO AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Avinash Jain & Narpen Kamboj
Students, Institute of Law, Nirma University (Ahmedabad)
avinash.jain30@gmail.com;
10bal022@nirmauni.ac.in
Climate change has emerged as a global concern indicating its drastic effects on food security. Climate
variability has been causing a lot of damage, not only biologically but also economically and politically. The
industrial capitalism has resulted in a large concentration of carbon emissions in the atmosphere, quadrupling
over the years that subsequently increased the climatic temperature of the globe bringing drastic effects of 'food
insecurity'.
Climate justice has emerged as a global prerogative. There is a labeled call for addressing 'loss & damages'
due to climate change and developing resilience to it. The ignorance of which would give birth to a category called
'climate exiles' affecting the global agricultural sector, resilience from which calls for Climate Justice.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
111
The objective of climate justice initiative is to seek mobilisation of global action; to energise and address the
food security challenge and to promote global initiatives for proper food security and to ensure crop productivity.
Unfortunately, domestic action in this response has been poor. The food crops are declining day by day due to
non-supportive policies of local government.
According to researches the climate variability will increase as time passes by, causing significant problems
for agriculture sector. This would badly effect the crop production in India, where a vast agriculture sector is
dependent upon climatic conditions. The need of the hour is to make agriculture more sustainable to work out
the issue of food security. The approach must be on developing public-private partnerships focusing on a shift
from "research and development" to "research for development." The initiatives of climate justice must be in
conformity to agriculture sector.
Keywords: Climate change, Climate Justice, Food security, Global warming, Technological Initiatives, Collaborative
effort.
CROP INSURANCE IN INDIA
Dr. Arundhati P. Dasani
Asst.Prof., Government Law College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat University
adasani23@gmail.com
India is an agricultural country; major population depends upon agriculture for their livelihood. And the only
certainty in India is uncertain monsoon, the farming community faces from the time of sowing to harvesting. Floods
may wash away the growing fields, droughts may wither plants, diseases may wipe out months of farmers labors
and likely production in a single stroke. Further, the risk bearing capacity of majority of our farmers is limited
due to scare resources and small holdings. They cannot withstand risks which are disastrous in nature. A serious
crop failure means not only less to farm income but also the loss of investment for the next crop season. This
leads to their indebtness. The risk burden of the farmers and the agricultural lenders can be reduced through
crop insurance, which is primarily a way of protecting farmers against the element of chance in crop production.
Crop insurance spreads the crop losses over space and time provides social security to the farmers, helps in
maintaining their dignity as embodied in Constitution of India under the Article-21 offers self-help, encourages
large investments in agriculture production. Moreover, the liability of the government to bear the cost of relief
measures to the farmers following crop failure is reduced to some extent as through crop insurance the farmers
themselves contribute to their relief.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
112
"GENETICALLY MODIFIED SEEDS" -
A CHALLENGE TO INDIAN FARMER COMMUNITY
Ms. Krishna Bipin Mehta
Assistant Professor (Law), Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
krishna.mehta@nirmauni.ac.in
Agriculture is one of the prominent sector for economic growth of India. It is a medium of livelihood for
substantial portion of Indian population. Since early 60s, by virtue of Green Revolution, India became self-sufficient
in food grains production. Green Revolution succeeded in removing flaws of this sector in terms of use of high
yielding varieties of seeds, use of technology in farming sector as well as making the farmer community aware
for the same.
Although, technological use can be immensely beneficial, but on rare occassion, both parties to it, i.e
technology maker and technology receiver could be on win-win situation. Due to the ongoing schemes and policies
of Government of India, the farmer community is benefitted, but still a huge challenge is faced by the Indian Farmer
community when it comes to "right to seeds" - the basic right of any and every farmer. With the advent of
technology, farming has become comparatively easier for Indian farmers. Nonetheless, technological implications
on "Seeds" is still alarming. The development of genetic engineering giving rise to genetically modified organisms
is the present challenge for Indian agriculture sector as well as Indian farmers. This paper attempts to find the
challenges as regards to GM seeds, IPR implications of GM Seeds on Agriculture and more importantly tries to
evaluate the real situation of Indian farmer vis a vis genetically modified seeds.
Key words: Agriculture, India, Genetically Modified Seeds, Indian Farmer
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - WHETHER A SOCIAL JUSTICE TO
FARMERS?
Dr. Paresh D. Dobariya
Asst.Prof., Smt. V. D. Gardi Law College, Surendranagar. Saurashtra University
pareshdobariya@yahoo.co.in
Adam Smith, the father of Contemporary economics, in his landmark book, Wealth of Nations, wrote, "No
Society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable."
Economic disparity inevitably creates a sense of social injustice, and an unjust society is neither stable nor
sustainable. And for stable and sustainable development of farmers the most important community of the society
need to be developed, therefore for their economic development agriculture is most important factor, as
agricultural development increase automatically their standard of living increases leading to overall economic
development of the nation. Agriculture provides both food and raw materials to the economy, a growing
agricultural sector provides an enlarged market as it expands aggregate demand, it also provides labor employment
in the industrial sector, and agriculture is often a principal source of capital for investment elsewhere in the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
113
economy. Exports from the agricultural sector are important to earn foreign exchange which is critical for imports
of capital goods and other equipment for rapid industrialization and economic growth. The Indian farmers gets
stability in their life only and only through adopting new methods and means, tools and technology, so that he
can able to resist against the usual climatic change. For all he needs better financial help in the form various
governments plans and policies. And we can do this, in part, by supporting farmers who are committed to
protecting environmental-helping to make ecologically sound food and fiber systems economically viable.
CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE
Dr. krupa D.Pandya
Principa I/C, Government Law College, Ahmedabad. Gujarat University
krupapandya1@gmail.com
Climate Smart Agriculture is one of the integrative approaches to address the interlinked challenges of food
security and Climate Change. As we understand the Global warming is raise its head day by day their actual season
we are seeing at in particular time. So it is very difficult for farmers to judge any particular season and according
showing that seasonal crop in their farm. This will lead to not only lost to agricultural farmers in form of their
livelihood but also a big loss to economy in the form of inflation-that price rise, production decreases. The poor
people of the society even want get 1 time food meal to satisfy their empty stomach. So at time CLIMATE SMART
AGRICULTURE is most essentiality for as developed, developing and underdeveloped country. There has been a
rapid uptake of the term climate smart Agriculture by the international community, national entities and local
institute, in the past years. However, implementing this approach is challenging, partly due to a lack of tools and
experience. Climate smart interventions are highly location specific and knowledge intensive. Considerable efforts
are required to develop the knowledge and capacities to make climate smart agriculture a reality.
FARMERS' RIGHTS FOR PLANT VARIETIES:
A NEED TO AVOID HOLLOW CLAIMS
Dr. Neepa U. Vyas
Assistant Professor, Government Law College, Ahmedabad
jneepa@yahoo.com
As India is one of the signatories to TRIPs Agreement, Article 27 (3) (b) confers mandatory duty on the members
of the Agreement to make arrangements for the protection of Plant Varieties either by patent or by sui generis
system or by the combination of both. India adopted the sui generis system and enacted Protection of Plant
Varieties And Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 and became one of the first countries in the world to have passed a
legislation granting rights not only to commercial breeders and farmers but also extended it to the researchers
in respect of their contribution in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources for
development of new plants varieties.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
114
However, in order to make this Act effective as sui generis, enactment with respect to the protection of the
rights of farmers and breeders, certain concrete steps are required to be taken to educate the farmers for their
rights, to establish effective mechanism for availability of remedies and to provide adequate administrative
structure which protect these rights strongly for fulfillment of one of the pivotal object of upgrading the livelihood
and life - standard of the farmers.
Keywords: TRIPs, sui generis, farmer, breeder
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAME WORK FOR
CLIMATE JUSTICE
Dr. L.S. Pathak
Principal, I.M. Nanavati Law College, G.L.S. Campus
star4040@gmail.com
(1) Introduction
The Almighty blessed the humanity with a beautiful universe, but human greed is tampering since ages till
today, with the delicate ecological balance possibly leading to a brobalble catastrophe. Incentive and unlimited
violation of nature in the name of scientific and technological advance or infrastructure development has already
delivered ominous dangle signals like global warming, seasonal imbalance, adversely affect the soil, waters and
other natural resources, and individual self-interests are making us close our eyes to the impending disaster.
(2) Environment Pollution : Types, causes and effects:
The problem of pollution is not new in the world and also in India. Every country and every community is
suffering from the menace of pollution and therefore all round research among the scientific community is going
on to suggest solutions to prevent these pollution or at least to control them for strengthening climate justice.
(3) Industrialization as a cause of Beginning of Environmental Degradations
(4) Causes of Pollution
(5) Types and Effects of Pollution :
(a) Air pollution (b) Water pollution (c) Land or Soil Pollution (d) Solid waste pollution (e) Food Pollution (f)
Noise pollution (g) Nuclear pollution (h) thermal pollution
(6) Environment Crisis in Global Scenario :
(a) Introduction (b) Nature of Crisis (c) Global Dimensions of Environmental Crisis (d) Trans Boundary Pollution
(e) Over Population (f) Rejection in Biological Diversity (g) Global Commons.
(7) National and International Legal Framework for Climate Justice:
(a) National Framework
(b) International Framework
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
115
THE ROLE OF WOMEN FARMERS IN ADAPTATION MEASURES AND
PRACTICES FOR AGRICULTURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Ms Rupal D.Pandya
rupalpandya2000@gmail.com
Climate Change increasingly affects the lives of many people, especially those of the poor in developing
countries. Climate change is the most serious environmental threat to the fight against hunger, malnutrition,
disease and poverty in India, mainly through its impact on agricultural productivity. Despite the widespread
scientific debate concerning the impacts of climate change and variability, not much is known about rural farming
households' perceptions of these impacts on their agricultural practices. The vulnerability of women and men to
the impacts of climate change is not even. The effects of climate change on a region are the same for all its
inhabitants, but men and women have different assets and resources at their disposal with which to tackle these
effects. Women are therefore more vulnerable, and the impact on their livelihood is greater. The degradation of
natural resources as a result of climate change has a more drastic impact on women's livelihood, since they are
more dependent on 'natural capital' to make a living. With regard to 'physical capital', plots cultivated by women
are more vulnerable to climate change. The land where they grow their crops, either as part of a group or
individually, is usually of poorer quality. Because they do not own these plots. Moreover, they do not have access
to the appropriate tools, and fertilizers are usually used on family-owned land. In semi-arid (Kutch , Gujarat) India,
tribal women are excluded from the community and have no property rights, including women's self-help groups,
which successfully mitigated the effects of a lack of finance due to crop damage from drought. Women's local
knowledge is of immense value. It can be used effectively to reduce the impact of climate change. there are several
strategies on community level that need to be strengthened : Preserving local seeds , Preserving local seeds ,
Improving water conservation , Strengthening local culture and tradition and there are also some other aspects
which need to be considered as well as Contributing and hindering factors for the use of women's local knowledge
for successful adaptation to climate change. However, women's knowledge can be the basis of adapting to climate
change to secure women's livelihoods as well as food and water security. Women also have taken initiatives to
cope with newly emerging local problems. The experience with small holders in different states of India confirms
the importance and role of biodiversity based organic farming. It not only ensures better yields but also reduces
the risks related to climate change. Women possess great strength and if they collectively decide to take on a
challenge, they can make it happen. They have always found ways to feed their families in very adverse situations
around the world. Their knowledge on adaptation to climate change will contribute to adapt to the impacts of
climate change. It is important to raise the issue of rural women and climate change within women's organizations
and the women's movement in order to generate a movement that reflects, acts in solidarity, and demands the
attention of public and private institutions.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
116
RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO DEVELOPMENT
Malhar Desai & Bharvi Chauhan
Students, Auro University School of Law
malhar.desai.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
bharvi.chauhan.bballb13@aurouniversity.edu.in
Since the 1970s there has been growing concern about quick and unpredictable changes in the world's
environment. This concern started among scientists, but now has become an issue of global and national
importance that is discussed among many different people, from local farmers to national governments at
international levels. Due to the environment and climate change, weather patterns are becoming more unusual
and unpredictable. A rise in global temperature is resulting in less predictable rainfall patterns, more frequent
droughts, stronger heat waves and more intense weather hazards, such as flooding and cyclones (typhoons/
hurricanes). These changes are already having a devastating impact on people's lives in many parts of the world,
particularly in poorer countries.
Keywords: climate change, global importance, weather patterns, extreme heat, health, migration and conflict.
FARMERS RIGHT: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
Dr. Rekha Kumari R.Singh
Assistant Professor, Anand Law College, S.P.University,Vidyanagar,Anand.
rekhakumari124@ymail.com
Agriculture represents a core part of the Indian economy and provides food and livelihood activities to much
of the Indian population. While the magnitude of impact varies greatly by region, climate change is expected to
impact on agricultural productivity and shifting crop patterns. This resulted into violation of rights of farmers and
adverse effect on crop or plants.
India is one of the first countries in the world to have passed a legislation granting rights to both breeders
and farmers. It is very important to recognize and protect the rights of the farmer in respect of their contribution
made at any time in improving, conserving and making available plant genetic resources and to protect plant
breeder's rights to stimulate investment for research and development.
Farmers' access to and rights over seeds are the very pillars of agriculture, and thus represent an essential
component of food sovereignty. Three decades after the term farmers' rights was first coined, there now exists
a broad consensus that this new category of rights is historically grounded and imperative in the current context
of the expansion of intellectual property rights (IPRs) over plant varieties. However, the issue of their realization
has proven so thorny that even researchers and activists who are sympathetic to farmers' rights now express
growing skepticism regarding their usefulness. In this paper, issues related to farmer's right will be highlighted
through a case study of India's unique Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act with respect
to climate changes.
Key Words: Agriculture, Climate Change, Challenges faced by Farmers,Justice, Plant breeders right, farmers rights,
TRIPs, Farmers Right Act,2001,IPRs
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
117
AFFORDABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
INSURANCE IN INDIA, ANALYSING THE ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
INVOLVED IN CONTRACT TERMS
Mr. Anandkumar R Shindhe
Assistant Professor, Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
anandkumar.shindhe@nirmauni.ac.in
Agriculture in India contributes around 17.2% towards GDP growth, which largely depends on the weather
condition from the very first day of cultivation till harvesting the corp. Success of harvesting depends on various
factors which are beyond the control of farmer. This dependence of farmer on weather conditions and other factors
expose him to the risk of losing crop which ultimately leads into financial losses. These factors are now very well
considered by the General Insurance Sector, who provide agricultural insurance and indemnifies the farmer in case
of loss suffered. Since insurance as such is a Contract, it includes lot of terms/clauses for its effective enforcement
and in most of cases it is a standard form contract, where the terms and conditions of insurance contract creating
rights and obligations are pre-drafted in the absence of assured. Farmers usually fail to do effective and proper
negotiations while entering into these insurance contracts, as a result, in case of loss suffered by farmer, he fails
to get the indemnity amount assured by insurance company. The objective of this paper is to analyse the various
terms put under crop insurance and how IRDA and Consumer Protection Act is protecting the interest of Farmers.
Key words: Standard Form Contracts, IRDA, Consumer Protection Act, Indemnity
FARMERS AND FARMING SYSTEMS:
ARE THEY MOVING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION
Arun B. Prasad,
Assistant Professor, (Economics), Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
arunprasad16@gmail.com
Agricultural production and productivity is a function of strategically aligned factors originating in the farming
systems and the socio-economic and cultural factors emanating from the farming community. The critical
difference between a developed and developing country is either the coordination or alliance between the farmer
and the farming systems or total disregard for the semblance between the two. The paper identifies the farming
systems in India by scanning through the major geographical regions. It essentially sums up the nature of farming
and various efforts that have gone into the development of agricultural infrastructure. The other half of the
equation, i.e. the farmer and the conditions under which he/she toils is brought out by citing various studies by
World Bank and Governmental investigations. In the course of this enquiry, an effort is made to identify the policy
and program errors committed by the planning and implementation machinery. The abject neglect to incentives
to farming forms another part of the paper. Further, the change in climate and the scientific studies leading to
the solutions point out the major go-aheads for future. Finally, the resultant economic apathy and livelihood
challenges and transitions are identified. In a nutshell, the paper presents a systemic study of farming systems
and farmers leading to livelihood challenges.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
118
ELIMINATION OF SPACE DEBRIS - A PATH TO ENSURE SAFE SPACE
EXPLORATION IN OUTER SPACE AND ENVIRONMENT
Kanchan Samtani
PH. D Student, Institute of Law, Nirma University
bhayakanchan@gmail.com
Outer space is the universal possession of the whole mankind. Both earth and space environment have become
a great matter of apprehension to manhood particularly in the arena of earth events. Space debris is a pre-
dominant issue when it comes to the safety and security of outer space and threatens the durability and
survivability of the space assets and the life of astronauts. The Mitigation of space debris becomes very crucial
for sustaining the atmosphere of the outer space and earth. Sufficient steps on behalf of the space faring nations
must be taken to eradicate this problem. It should be considered as a duty of every nation to cooperate in the
activity relating to removal of debris.
EDUCATION & INDIAN FARMERS
Akta Mehta
Professor, I. M. Nanavaty Law College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
aktamehta@yahoo.co.in
As the agriculture is one of the most important part of Indian Economy, naturally farmers play a very vital
role in the country. Farmers with weak economic and educational background are mostly ignorant of the modern
advances in the field of agricultural research. The outcome of a survey performed in selected rural areas of India
implicates the extent of agricultural progress in these areas. Keeping in consideration the survey of agricultural
field, diseased plant sampling, soil analysis and interviewing farmers it was found out that it is necessary to educate
farmers and to spread among them awareness about new farming practices and adaptation of new tools and
techniques of farming so as helpful them in this time of all around climatic changes everywhere in the world.
As ratio of education among farmers increases they will start protecting themselves not only against unseen natural
calamities but able to take maximum benefits of various government schemes available to them. With the
summation of old experienced farmers with literate and educated their young generations, they will smartly able
to raise standard of living as whole, because no other country is as rich as India in the matter of natural resources,
water resources, fertility of Land.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
119
CLIMATE CHANGE: WEALTH AND WELLNESS OF FARMERS
Dr. Mariamma A.K.
Professor, Government Law College, Calicut
marianilpip@yahoo.com
Climate change is primarily caused by the building up of Green House Gases in the atmosphere. Global
warming refers to the observed increase in the average temperature of the air near earth's surface and it adversely
affects the developing countries as their capacity and resources to deal with the challenge is limited. Climate change
could be the biggest health threat of the twenty first century including vector borne and water borne diseases
like malaria, cholera, dengue. Floods create numerous health hazards, when water contaminate with animal and
human waste, it causes shortage of clean drinking water which causes diarrhoea, cholera, jaundice and typhoid.
Collection of stagnant water breeds mosquitoes which spread malaria and dengue fever. Sea level rise can also
threaten human safety and its associated impacts. Climate related hazards affect farmers lives directly as it impacts
on livelihood by way of reduction in crop yields, destruction of homes, increased food prices, shortage of water
for irrigation, drought, coastal flooding and coastal erosion, submergence and crop failure. Cloud burst with floods
and hailstorms cause untold miseries to farmers. Recent hailstorm in Maharashtra caused damage to several
hectares of farm land and also affected cattle as well as dairy products. Damage to crops like rice, wheat, jowar,
grapes, pomegranate and vegetables caused huge loss and 50% of the seeds failed the germination test which
ultimately result in the food production badly and consequent malnutrition. Strengthening of health facilities to
meet the threats of climate sensitive diseases are required. Farmers being the direct victims of climate change
in several ways, adequate steps are necessary to keep them invulnerable to diseases and also ensure livelihood,
lest shortage in food production globally shall be the outcome. Therefore a mission to save farmers at the national
and international level is the need of the hour.
TREE CREDITING AND ITS POTENTIAL
Shraddha Dubey
Student, Symbiosis Law School, Pune
shraddhadubey97@gmail.com
This research paper is based on the policy of Tree Credits. It focuses on the formulation of the policy of Tree
Credits, the need for its development and introduction, its various aspects and most importantly its role in the
prevention of climate change and its adoption at a global level. The research paper also deals with the need for
legislations related to the policy of Tree Credits in pursuance of its effective implementation.
This paper also deals with the concept of climate justice with respect to farmers who though contribute least
to global pollution suffer the most. Climate justice is also increasingly seen as a justice issue as climate change
undermines the realization of a primary but internationally recognized human right, the right to a clean and
pollution free environment. It asymmetrically impacts the poor and the vulnerable communities like farmers and
other rural folks. Due to this reason the United Nations Development Programme has described climate change
as a "human tragedy in making". And, thus "Tree Credit" have been developed as one of the means to counter
the problem of climate change and administer climate justice.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
120
The concept of tree crediting was developed along the lines of carbon crediting. The success of carbon crediting
and the need for incentives to protect trees led environmentalists and forest officials to come up with policy of
Tree Credits. The concept of tree crediting was introduced with the aim to improve green cover and help in
preventing climate change. Tree credits are expected to make conditions favourable for people to proactively grow
and protect trees by giving them appropriate, periodic financial returns.
The policy was first developed by the Social Forestry Department, State of Maharashtra, India. It envisages
developing government wasteland or forest land with the view to discourage the felling of trees and encourage
its plantation. It is broadly a market forestry concept based in improving the livelihood of people by involving
saving trees from being cut. Under this policy "Tree Credit Certificates" will be requires to be bought by individuals
and polluting companies as a form of compensation for environmental pollution. The "Tree Credit Certificates"
will be like equity shares, whose price movement will be determined by market forces. The money generated
from this would act as an incentive for farmers to grow and protect trees.
This policy shows the potential to deal with the problem of climate change and its catastrophic results on
mankind and displays promise for global implementation, and with effective implementation it is likely to achieve
the desired results.
AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE AND CLIMATE JUSTICE INITIATIVES IN
INDIA: AN INDIAN FARMER'S STORY
Harshit Rai
Student of Symbiosis Law School, Pune
harshurai1802@gmail.com
This research paper is based on the topic agricultural insurance and climate justice initiative in India: An Indian
Farmer's Story. With respect to the farmers, we see that despite contributing least to the process of climate change
and pollution they suffer most because of their adverse affects. The imminent onset of climate change both due
to natural and human causes has impacted the agricultural health of this country and is bound to constantly effect
it in future. This long term change in the climate identifiable by the changes in temperature, precipitation, winds,
and other indicators adversely effects agriculture and thus the farmers. Such a phenomenon effects the soils,
waters and other biological parameters which ultimately affects the livelihood of these farmers. The phenomenon
not only effects the output from agricultural fields but the economic condition of most of the farmers which are
entirely dependent on agriculture for their sustenance. Thus the common folks which are not stakeholders in the
process of environmental degradation are the most adversely effected ones from it. This leads to gross violation
of their rights and thus ultimately causes the miscarriage of justice. It should be realised that in this scenario the
promise of food security made to the citizens of this country is difficult to materialise. Since the only way humans
can mitigate if not stop climate change is through tackling the man-made causes of it, a plethora of national climate
change policies have been adopted that emphasize on cutting carbon emissions and adopting eco-friendly
practices.However hardly any of the initiatives deal with the plight of Indian farmer's due to climate change. The
concept of Climate Justice and how climate change can be viewed from the lens of Justice, Equity and Rights which
even though globally accepted has not been has not been effectively implemented in India. Thus this paper deals
with the concept of agricultural insurance and its effects on the Indian farmer as well as the required improvements
in this regard. The initiatives taken so far regarding climate justice and that should be taken so forth have also
been analysed in this paper.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
121
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE: AN IMPACT STUDY OF
FARMERS IN GUJARAT
Mr. Nimesh P. Bhojak
Research Scholar, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan
nimeshbhojak@outlook.com
Dr. Ashwin Modi
Associate Professor, SKSBM, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan
India is one of the largest CO2 emitter in the world due to developing countries. Agriculture Sector Changes
is really high through the research and technology. Instead of Climate Change impact on Agriculture Sector, the
government should emphasize on agriculture as major source of climate change. Large scale changes such as Usage
of Fertilizer, soil erosion or machine-intensive farming methods etc. may all contribute to increase green house
gas in the atmosphere. The purpose of this paper is essential to better understand, which agriculture activity lead
climate change. It can also supportive to find the problem of green house gas emissions at farm levels in agriculture
through the collection of primary data from the farmers of Gujarat. The result shows there is requirement to take
such action for the agriculture which may reduce the green house gas. So It is not only helpful to develop the
agriculture sector but also helpful to reduce the green house gas emission and to save the Climate and
Environment.
Keywords: - Green House Gas, Farming Method, Live-Stock, Manure Usage etc.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
122
CASE STUDIES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
123
CASE STUDIES
1 Health Status of the Aged Farmers ( A Case Study of Farmers in NGWO UDI Local Government
Area ENUGU State, Nigeria) - Udeh Nneka 124
2 Voices of Poor - VRTI 124
3 Injustice on Farmers – VRTI 125
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
124
Health Status of the Aged Farmers
(A Case Study of Farmers in NGWO UDI Local Government Area ENUGU State, Nigeria)
Udeh Nneka
Department of Accountancy, Institute of Management and Technology ENUGU, Nigeria
udehnneka504@gmail.com
The study was designed to determine the health status of the aged in Ngwo town. The cross-sectional survey
design was utilized to obtain data from 500 elderly people selected from all the ten villages that make up Ngwo.
The only instrument for data collection was questionnaire. The major findings of the study were as follows: In
Ngwo town 403 (80.6%) can take their bath independently 405(81%) get in and out of bed without human help,
and again 400(8%) can dress up themselves without any type of help. In Ngwo town 392 (78.4%) were never
an outpatient of psychiatric hospital, 300(60%) converge with people without targeting their points and moreover
493 (99%) had never gone to any hospital as a result of mental problem. The aged in Ngwo 350 (70% do not
move out to visit friends they are mostly occupied with their farm work. 244 (48.8%) do not belong to any social
club. On the basis of the findings and discussions the following conclusions were drawn. As the aged in Ngwo
town can perform almost all their activities of daily living independently without mechanical and human help,
they have high physical health status. Health status of the aged people in Ngwo that are predominantly farmers
is appreciable. A case study of Ngwo town, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria.
VOICES OF POOR
Vivekanand Research & Training Institute--The injustice towards farmers in Konkan Region
The govt. agencies from agriculture department could not reach in right time for facilitating the farmers.
Even though agriculture university and their subsequent colleges are available, Agriculture department of
Maharashtra Govt and Z.P. of respective districts are working for agricultural developments the developments
are not that much remarkable. Since they are working for last seven decades.
Even though there is Social Forestry, Police Patil, Gramsevak in the respective areas the Junlge fire occurs or
intentionally done this effects on global warming, negatively affecting on bio - diversity and ultimately nobody
is responsible for such type of activities.
Whenever farmers visit to avail schemes from Banks no more attention is paid towards them and the same
case occurs in govt when farmers try to avail the govt. schemes.
If farmer gets the schemes and want to avail the subsidy many time he is compelled to adopt bad practices.
The procedures are lengthy and hectic. The period given for the schemes and to submit papers is very short.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
125
CASE STUDY ON INJUSTICE ON FARMERS
Vivekanand Research & Training Institute
Lote Parshuram
REF : Daily Lokmat, Suppliment Hello Ratnagiri Dated 24.09.2014 Page No. 03.
For Ready Ref. Scanned Copy is attached
Title - No / slow release of Insurance against Crop Insurance.
• Implementation Fruit Crop Insurance on the basis of Climate Change.
• Till date no inured amount is paid to the beneficiaries. ( 3283 Farmers from Ratnagiri District )
• 40914 Ha was covered under this scheme.
• 15 Kms towards east width wise area was selected such as Ratnagiri, Pavas, Khedshi, Jaygad, Phansop,
Kotawade, Malgund, Tarval, Pali, etc.
• The Agriculture Insurance Co. of India Ltd compelled farmers to procure the policy who had borrowed
the loans.
• It was optional for those who had not availed the loan facility.
• The benefits availed by 3170 Mango growers availed the benefit for 2948 ha of Mango crop.
• Like wise for 113 Cashew Growers could get benefit for 11434 ha area.
• The period kept to avail the benefit and to apply for only few days that is 18th Dec to 31st Dec 2013.
• This was depending upon the fluctuating rise in temp, heavy in short span, lowest temp.
• Even though the farmers have applied for insurance for Insurance for crops against Changing Climate they
could not get the insurance.
• No claim is setteled even after three months are over after completion of the season.
• No response from representatives of the concern company.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Strengthening Climate Justice Initiatives: Livelihood Challenges at Local Level with a
Focus on Farmers November 8 - 9, 2014, Ahmedabad
126
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Strengthen Climate Justice Initiatives at the local level with
for sustainable livelihood with a focus on farmers"
8th to 9th November, 2014
At Institute of Law, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
STUDENT ORGANISING COMMITTEE
CORE COMMITTEE
Piyush Chauhan (Organising Secretary)
Himanshu Sharma
Tabish Samdani
Abhinav Shrivastava
Aishwary Tiwari
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Dushyant Banke
Mohit Mittal
REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
Jagjeet Vashista
Deependra Shekhawat
Khiyati Panchvani
Ashish Somani
CERTIFICATE COMMITTEE
Sonal Joshi
Varun Tondon
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
Himanshu Sharma
Arpit Sharma
Chandra Shekhar Sharma
Ashwin Shrivastava
RAPPORTEUR COMMITTEE
Ranjit Nair
Sudhanshu Bissa
FOOD AND REFRESHMENT COMMITTEE
Nishant Pal
Kushagra Pandey
Ankit Kumar
Priti Sharma
STAGE COMMITTEE
Prannoy Shekhar
Devansh Agrawal
Saurabh Chatterjee
Akshit Jain
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION COMMITTEE
Shahrukh Khan
Anmary
Kirti Tiwari
MEDIA AND PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
Pratiksha Ravi
Gurpreet Kaur Wadhwa
Priyadarshni Sharma
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Dilip Sharma
TECHNICAL SESSION COMMITTEE
Anurag Daga
top related