Embracing Indigenous Knowledge for Drought Risk Reduction in Jharkhand
Atiya Afreen, Trinath Mahato, Niva Mishra, Manish Kumar
Introduction
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is the idea and practice of lowering the risks associated with catastrophes by methodical attempts to identify and lessen the causes of disasters.
Indigenous water harvesting knowledge describes the methods and viewpoints that society has accumulated through many generations to comprehend its surroundings. It is possible to employ this information, which is ingrained in a community’s way of life, to fend against natural calamities. Practitioners and policymakers should broaden their understanding and offer concrete examples to raise awareness of indigenous knowledge as resources for disaster risk reduction. Since it may aid in a better understanding of regional environmental conditions and the recommendation of workable risk reduction methods along with the implementation of technology, there has been a rise in interest in utilizing indigenous knowledge for disaster education and early warning in recent years.
Indigenous knowledge is culture-specific, and represents people’s lifestyle. Thus, the dissemination and use of knowledge beyond the boundary of the community that has developed it is often a challenging issue. However, indigenous knowledge measures can be applicable to different locations, provided they are adequately calibrated to local cultural and environmental features. Despite the recognition of the important role that local and indigenous knowledge can play in disaster risk reduction, such knowledge has yet to feature prominently in environment, climate change and disaster-related policies1.
The indigenous people of Jharkhand possess crucial contextually pertinent knowledge and mitigation tactics for the state’s depleting natural resources and accelerating climate change. Over the years, the indigenous communities in Jharkhand have played a pivotal role in environmental conservation through their traditional practices. Here are five short stories highlighting some of these practices:
- Sacred Groves (Sarna): In many parts of Jharkhand, indigenous communities have demarcated certain forest patches as ‘Sarna’ or sacred groves2. These groves are conserved as abodes of deities and have religious and cultural significance. Due to their sacred nature, felling of trees or any kind of harm to the flora and fauna is prohibited. These groves, as a result, have become biodiversity hotspots, conserving many endemic and threatened species.
- Water Harvesting through Ahar-Pynes: Traditional water management systems known as Ahar-Pynes have been used by indigenous communities in Jharkhand for centuries3. An ‘Ahar’ is a catchment basin with embankments on three sides, and a ‘Pyne’ is a canal diverting rainwater. These structures help in rainwater harvesting, recharging groundwater, and providing irrigation during dry periods.
- Lac Cultivation by the Ho Tribe: The Ho tribe in Jharkhand has traditionally been involved in lac cultivation4. Lac, a resinous substance produced by insects, is a sustainable source of income. The tribe has mastered the art of sustainable harvesting, ensuring that neither the trees nor the insects are harmed, promoting both biodiversity and livelihood.
- Traditional Agroforestry Practices: Indigenous communities in Jharkhand practice traditional agroforestry, integrating trees, crops, and sometimes livestock on the same land5. This practice conserves soil moisture, reduces erosion, enhances biodiversity, and provides multiple sources of income for the communities.
- Organic Farming and Seed Conservation: Several indigenous communities in Jharkhand have resisted the introduction of genetically modified seeds and have instead focused on conserving traditional seed varieties. These seeds, adapted to local conditions, are more resilient and require fewer inputs. By practicing organic farming, these communities are protecting the soil’s health, conserving water, and ensuring sustainable agriculture6.
In particular, four categories of indigenous knowledge are identified as most important in helping to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters including drought. These categories, which include ecological knowledge, an environmental ethic, cultural traditions associated with disasters, and a connection to place, can be used in DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) practice.
Jharkhand’s Drought Overview
The state of Jharkhand is severely prone to droughts and over a longer period, the drought conditions in the state have been affecting the residents of the state, especially the agrarian communities, who are dependent on agricultural products and its main source of income. The drought status of Jharkhand illustrated in (Figure 1) highlights districts of Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Giridih, Dhanbad, Deoghar and Jamtara, Dumka, Godda, Pakur and Sahibganj is the severe drought-prone district.
Figure 1:
Representation of district-wise drought status in Jharkhand.
Source: https://msry.jharkhand.gov.in/
Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), an empirical indicator which suggests the degree of drought conditions have shown considerable fluctuations over the years in the state. The 1990s and early 2000s were marked by several bouts of pronounced dryness, with years like 1993, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010 experiencing significant drought conditions. Though there were milder dry spells interspersed throughout, it was evident that the state grappled with moisture deficits during these periods. On the brighter side, Jharkhand enjoyed near-normal moisture conditions in 1999, 2008, and 2022, providing a respite from the extremes. Interestingly, a noticeable shift in the climate pattern emerged in recent years (Figure 2). The years 2020 and 2021, in particular, were exceptionally wet, a stark contrast to the preceding dry years. Such a pattern underscores the need for proactive planning, allowing the region to harness the benefits of wet periods while preparing for potential droughts in the future.
Figure 2: PDSI (Palmer Drought Severity Index) time series analysis showing wet and dry conditions in Jharkhand over the period of 1993 to 2022 (Data Source: TerraClimate)
Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Tackling Drought
Managing water resources sustainably is paramount for ensuring food security, especially as climate change threatens our hydrological systems and available freshwater resources. This challenge directly affects both rain-fed and irrigated farming. In regions where water is scarce and farming primarily relies on rain, these cost-effective techniques prove invaluable in given case studies.
Learnings from Godda Distric
Figure 3: Check Dam Under Construction. Source: India Water Partnership Figure 4: Check Dam After Construction. Source: India Water Partnership
Take, for instance, the village of Baghakol in the Godda district of Jharkhand, India. Here, drought is a significant concern, and the community largely depends on rain-fed agriculture, which covers over 98% of their farmlands. Most farming takes place during the kharif season, from June to September. Outside of this period, villagers typically seek employment in governmental or private sectors. To address their irrigation needs, they use a Lift Irrigation System (LIS) set up by World Vision’s Godda ADP (Area Development Programme). However, there’s a hitch: their primary water source, a local stream, runs dry by March. The existing intake well can’t meet the irrigation demands of the entire village. Recognizing this shortfall, a proposal to construct a check dam was introduced to boost the well’s recharge capabilities. In response, AFPRO (Action for Food Production) undertook a technical study, aiming to improve crop yields for 48 ST-category farmers working on 100 acres of land7.
Learnings from Ranchi District
Figure 5: Well at Village-Choube Khatanga Figure 6: Well at Village-Dahu Tola Source: India Water Partnership
In three Ranchi villages – Dahu Tola, Sanga, and Choube Khatanga, initiatives have been launched to provide dedicated irrigation wells, benefiting 50 acres of land for rabi season cultivation. These measures are especially favored by small-scale farmers with limited land. By aiding farmers during droughts and enhancing their resilience, these wells boost their adaptability. Previously, farmers could only cultivate one crop annually, but now they can produce vegetables year-round, transitioning from the typical kharif crop. Beyond drought mitigation, such traditional water conservation methods can greatly improve the economic standing of farming communities and ensure both nutritional and financial security for countless impoverished farmers and their households7.
Dobhas of Angara Block, Ranchi District – Dobha is an old technique in which a small pond is dug to store water for the dry season. As part of water conservation efforts, the Centers for International Projects Trust collaborated with Ranchi’s Birsa Agricultural University to work on construction of small ponds – dobhas – under its Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers’ Livelihood program. Dobhas store rainwater which can be used for irrigation purposes during non-rainy months. This reduces the dependence of the farmers on monsoons and helps them diversify their cropping patterns making them drought resilient. This program was initiated in 10 villages of the Angara block, Ranchi district, in early 2015. Dobhas are indigenous structures for water conservation which were prevalent in the region 20 to 30 years back, regaining popularity during this ongoing water crisis. The construction of dobhas is also spearheaded by the Jharkhand government on a massive scale. A survey of locations where dobhas were built under the program suggests that nearly three-quarters of them have the potential to store a significant amount of rainwater that could last eight to nine months per year. The infiltration from these water structures also provides recharge to subsurface aquifers, which eventually helps to increase soil moisture availability and sustain water levels in dobha8.
Figure 7: Dobha in Angara Block. Source: https://news.climate.columbia.edu
Learnings from Giridih District
Figure 8: A Bandh in Dalgando village, Source: India Water Partnership
Dalgando, a small village in Giridih, primarily relies on agriculture as its chief economic activity. Paddy and maize are the main crops cultivated here. The area’s climate is conducive to vegetable farming, but the village falls within a rainfed region. Consequently, due to the lack of irrigation, farmers usually grow just one crop annually. Besides irrigation challenges, the villagers also grapple with insufficient drinking water for their livestock. To address these challenges, an NGO named Pragatisheel Yuva Kendra, with support from FORRAD (Foundation for Rural Recovery and Development), initiated the construction of an earthen dam. Earthen dams are ancient embankment structures typically built using locally-sourced natural materials, such as earth, with minimal processing. They are constructed using basic equipment and are relatively cost-effective. The primary objective of this initiative was to ensure a consistent water supply for irrigation throughout the year. This endeavor has economically uplifted the local community, enabling farmers to cultivate more than two crops annually. Additionally, the villagers have started fisheries in the dam, further enhancing their adaptive capabilities. Post-construction, the dam has offered environmental advantages, with the embankment proving robust and grass proliferating on it. Social benefits have also been observed; the dam caters to the community’s needs for bathing, laundry, and supplying drinking water to cattle, as it’s the sole water source in the village7.
Learnings from East Singhbhum
In Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, significant improvements have been made in water management. The Non-Revenue Water (NRW) has seen a substantial reduction, dropping from 36% to just 9.9%. Additionally, there has been a decrease in per capita water consumption. It went down from 193 liters per capita per day (lpcd) to 170 lpcd. These achievements highlight the city’s commitment to efficient water use and conservation9,10.
Conclusion
This study focuses on the importance of indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction in Jharkhand. It is necessary to develop mechanisms that might increase public awareness of indigenous knowledge through educational initiatives, materials for public awareness-raising, and the mainstreaming of indigenous knowledge into laws, programmes, and services at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Indigenous knowledge can be effectively incorporated into early warning systems, danger monitoring, and disaster response and recovery mechanisms.
Indigenous groups in this area have accumulated a wealth of information and sustainable practices that not only support environmental preservation but also offer vital resources and a means of livelihood. These practices offer invaluable lessons for disaster risk reduction, from the preservation of sacred groves to conventional water management techniques, lac cultivation, agroforestry, and organic farming.
The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicates that Jharkhand is experiencing severe drought conditions, which emphasize the urgency of resolving water scarcity and the vulnerability experienced by rural populations. Indigenous knowledge, which is deeply rooted in the local culture and history, might be crucial in overcoming these difficulties. Jharkhand can better prepare for the effects of drought and climate change by utilizing the knowledge of these people and incorporating their sustainable practices into more comprehensive disaster risk reduction initiatives11.
This underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting indigenous knowledge and its role in environmental and disaster resilience. By fostering collaboration between practitioners, policymakers, and indigenous communities, there is an opportunity to build a more sustainable and resilient future for Jharkhand and beyond.
References:
- Baumwoll, J. (2008). THE VALUE OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: A Unique Assessment Tool for Reducing Community Vulnerability to Natural Disasters
- Malhotra, K. C. (1998). Sacred groves in India: an overview. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya.
- Shah, A. (1998). The Making and Unmaking of Local Self-Government. Economic and Political Weekly, 33(12), 735-744.
- Sinha, D., & Raza, D. T. (2007). Lac culture and tribal development: A case study from Jharkhand. Indian Forester, 133(8), 1101-1106.
- Pandey, D. N. (2007). Multifunctional agroforestry systems in India: A review. Current Science, 92(4), 455-463.
- Gupta, A. K. (2003). Protecting the voices of the poor in the era of knowledge markets: The challenge of the grassroots innovators. In Protecting and promoting traditional knowledge (pp. 33-46). United Nations.
- Case Studies on water savings and water harvesting technologies adopted in selected villages of Jharkhand. India Water Partnership (2011).
- https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2017/05/24/in-jharkhand-using-an-old-technique-for-sustainable-water/
- Annual report. India Water Partnership (2020)
- https://cwp-india.org/reports/annual-report/
- https://environmentalmigration.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1411/files/documents/png-indigenous-knowledge-report-print.pdf