Local responses to too much and too little water in the greater Himalayan region
resume the income generating activities which came to Traditional coping and adaptation mechanisms that
a halt after the floods of 2007. Micro-credit transactions have worked, such as the indigenous house design and
also became irregular because members cannot afford early warning indicators, could be promoted through
to pay the deposits. Easier lending and repayment government policies and programmes, perhaps with
schemes could help them cope and adapt. incentives from the government and other institutions.
Promulgation of proper policies and implementation
of existing relief and rehabilitation programmes can
Recommendations
empower people and enhance their adaptive capacity.
• Build the awareness, sensitivity, and capacity of
communities to adapt to their changing environment
Of the communities of Assam, the Mishings have been
and to develop alternative livelihoods.
the best adapted to floods. However, they have also
• Support the communities to sustain and perpetuate
become the most vulnerable community due to the
selected local adaptation strategies, such as those
increasing intensity and frequency of the hazards, the
mentioned in this report, that have been proven
proximity of the river, and their deepening poverty.
effective in enabling them to live better in hazard-
prone areas.
The community cohesion that used to be strong is being
• Train farmers in innovative agricultural techniques
eroded now as the communities are being scattered
suitable for degraded lands.
to different places and forced to adapt on their own.
• Promulgate suitable policies pertaining to
Researchers and planners need to review indigenous
embankments, flood insurance, and resettlement and
adaptation practices and the changes. It would be
rehabilitation, and implement these programmes in a
relevant to examine whether the traditional coping
timely fashion to be effective.
capacity and adaptation strategies are still useful, and
if they can continue to deal with the changing nature
of the multiple water-induced disasters, and the social,
economic, cultural, and political factors affecting society
as a whole.
In Assam, some people have become permanent squatters on the embankments due to lack of other options.
49
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