Experience Sharing �of Government Programme Implementation �on Nature Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation:� A Case of Kerala State, India��Jos C Raphael* �Secretary, District Rainwater Harvesting Mission – Mazhapolima, Kerala, India�

Rainfall

• India 1200 mm (approximate)
• Kerala 3000 mm

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The Problem 1:

Water Wells go dry during summer.

About 2/3 rd portion of total 6.5 Million wells in Kerala go nearly dry – not full dry during summer.

The Problem 2: Saline ingress in the coastal wells

Water quality issues from saline ingress and excess iron contamination pose serious challenges. Pale red precipitates around the bottom of the well shows it.

Approach / Solution Adopted to improve ground water table and water quality

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Saline ingress to be reverted: Well Recharging in the coastal belt helps to reduce saline ingress

• Human Induced groundwater overdraft and low rainfall in the coastal belt would facilitate saline ingress to the mainland to the tune of 1:40 ratio. If one meter ground water depletion happens then 40 meter advancement of saline water to the mainland happens as per this relation.

Mobilisation Strategies Adopted �1) Institution building and IEC�

• Volunteering to make the subject acceptable among the people (2002-2004)
• Organising / Lobbying for institution building with government system – Rain Centre under Thrissur District Administration, Kerala 2004

- Mazhapolima (SPV under District Administration – District Collector) 2008

- District Rainwater Harvesting Mission (Registered Society under District Administration) 2013

• IEC through Newspapers, Trainings, classes for student communities and Rural Women groups, lectures for Local Government Representatives, Poster / Sticker / leaflets, Road Shows, Exhibition Pavilions etc
• Formulation of local government scheme with subsidy to implement it at the grassroots level (September 2009)

IEC Programmes- Exhibitions, Road Shows, Training sessions to farmers, Posters, Stickers, Videos, Social Media links etc

Mobilisation Strategies Adopted - Funds

• Requested the state and central Government fund through District Administration / District Collector
• Central Government schemes – Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Programme, Integrated Watershed Management Programme etc
• State Government funds through Kerala State Disaster Management Authority
• Mobilised Corporate Social Responsibility Funds – Arghyam Trust, Banglore supported Project Management Unit for 8 years.
• Mobilised Local Government funds – Rural local Governments, Municipalities
• Mobilised funds from people to install their own RHW systems.

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Key finding

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1) Well Recharging from Rainwater Harvesting is found successful in improving the groundwater table and to avert saline ingress in the coastal water resources.

2). Above 35000+ Well Recharging Units have been implemented in Kerala state using Government sources (both central and state), CSR funding, Local Governments and own funds of households - for the funds more than US$ 853658 equivalent

3) Government Orders supporting the implementation of this method with subsidy through Local Governments has been substantial for Government Officers

4) Where as Mandatory Rainwater Harvesting Rules of Government, implemented through the local governments has not received sufficient response

5) People were reluctant to accept the subject in the initial phases. Nearly 25% of the beneficiaries often did not maintain the installed RWH which were given on subsidy rate or almost free of charges.

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Concluding Recommendations�1. Volunteering to spread awareness on RWH is very essential in the initial phases of subject promotion. �2. Without community acceptance it is difficult to proceed and therefore, IEC tools are highly essential. The success will not happen within all of a sudden or short time period� 3. Lobbying the government systems (both political and administrative parts) in the policy adoption and pooling resources for the RWH implementation is highly required. �4. Groundwater table do not have poverty lines hence households above poverty lines or households with large harvesting areas / roof are to be included in the subsidy / incentive priority lists. �5. This Nature Based Solution is replicable in developing countries where there is water wells and rain