The Capacity Building Programme - Climate Change Adaptation in Rural Areas of India (CCA- RAI) in India was supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India. The programme focused on strengthening the capacity of technical officers in the key line sectors (Agriculture, Horticulture, Water, Forests, Rural Development and Energy) as well as Planning and Finance to understand the impacts of climate change and application of adaptation as it relates to medium- and long-term sub-national and sectoral development plans. The programme also strengthened local capacities for evaluating different adaptation investment plans, options, namely training on impact analysis and planning perspectives.

Training was provided under the programme to enhance the skills of technical officers at the national and sub-national level in order to estimate the economic costs and benefits of climate change impacts, as well as appropriate adaptation options. Understanding the perception and knowledge about loss and damage of climate change at the micro and sectoral levels requires detailed information of households and as well within the sector. For this purpose, detailed questionnaires were developed to collect the data. These data capture the contribution to productivity and the potential vulnerabilities these households face in rural areas and in different sectors. 

Himachal Pradesh is Himalayan state, positioned in North West in IHR, and bordered by China and Indian States Uttarakhand, J&K, Punjab and Haryana. The agricultural sector plays a strategic role in the overall economy of the State, and almost the entire sector is dependent of rain fed practices. The Agriculture and Horticulture sector has increased in size over time, and today, around 80 per cent of the total population are depending their livelihoods only upon these two sectors. 

The local level data was collected through questionnaires and besides local level knowledge across four agro- ecological zones. The analysis in this study also focuses on the processes that farmers adopts when select different type of options (such as crop diversification rainwater harvesting, precision irrigation, better seeds etc.) to rear. This analysis also depends on a variety of factors including perception, knowledge and precipitation about climate change and impacts thereof. It stands to reason that a change in climate, all else being constant, would certainly affect the communities and farmer’s livelihoods. It is important for policymakers, planners to understand how communities are setting themselves and farmers adopt the different options and imparting knowledge that how it is likely to change as climate changes over time, so that they can introduce appropriate policy responses to minimize adverse impacts for their well-being.

In order for Himachal Pradesh to increase the resilience of its communities and other key sectors, including political part, numerous developmental and environmental challenges are required to be addressed. This programme also aimed to build the capacities of higher-level functionaries. Different aspects of climate change that how the climate change will affect State has also been briefly presented through this report prepared by the GiZ. Based on preliminary analysis, the report also presents a set of recommendations that the Government may wish to consider to address the challenges that one is likely to face as a result of climate change. More generally, this report and the training that underpinned certain lesson learned and represent a template of challenges that the Government of Himachal Pradesh may wish to consider employing in the future.  As a part of this programme the State Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan has also been reviewed and revised. The possible strategies for development sectors have also been suggested. Hands on training with demonstration models on climate change adaptation practices and that how the different ongoing or new options can be mainstreamed in planning process to build climate resilient communities have been set up in the State.

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