Anirudh Kishore’s Post

did some cool things with The Climate Party® yesterday! we discussed the need for #adaptation and #resilience (A&R) in the Goan context, and what it means to frame A&R solutions. we followed this with an intense (read as so much fun!) brainstorm on what some of these #climate solutions might look like. we then translated all this juice from our thinking into little #ClimateRecipes with the help of Srinivas Mangipudi. covered everything from technical solutions to regulate tidal fluctuations and related land use issues in the khazan lands of Goa, to those that ask we listen to our grandmas and the collective wisdom they represent (that's right, that's the whole recipe!) met such a diverse, interested, and inspiring set of folks as well. look forward to more such meaningful gatherings :) huge shoutout to Sayesha Dogra for flying down for this!

super excited for this! a topic quite close to my heart. look forward to doing a short presentation on how we can frame solutions for #climate #adaptation, and learn from all the wonderful folks working in this and allied spaces in Goa! if you're from here (or just a climate nerd who's visiting) and would like to brainstorm solutions that help anticipate and adapt to the rising physical risks from #ClimateChange, you need to be here. do register pronto!

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Consultant - Climate Fellow at Dalberg!

🌟 Happy São João! 🌟 This Goan festival, with its vibrant celebrations of diving into wells, reminds us of the state's deep connection with its water resources. As we revel in the joy of São João, it’s crucial to address the growing groundwater crisis that threatens our beloved state. I’ve detailed these issues in my latest article for O Heraldo with Rohit Sinha. 🌊💧 🔗 Follow the link to read the full article. Key Takeaways: 🌱 On the Brink: Goa's per capita water availability was 1,807 cubic meters in 2021, which is above the threshold set by the Falkenmark indicator for water stress (1,700 cubic meters per person per year). However, this figure is based on 2011 census data. Even if the actual count is ~6% higher than the projections, the state would slide into the water-stressed category. Given this scenario, it's only natural that we increasingly rely on Goa's aquifers to meet our needs. ⚠️ Climate Impact: Climate change is making monsoons more unpredictable, affecting our ability to recharge groundwater resources consistently. Intense rainfall events lead to rapid runoff rather than slow infiltration, diminishing the effectiveness of natural recharge. This unpredictability, combined with the dwindling availability of fresh surface water resources, poses a significant challenge to maintaining groundwater levels. This has cascading impacts on the incomes and livelihoods of Goan farmers and fisherfolk. 🚧 Urban Challenges: Poor drainage planning and increased concretization result in significant runoff and flooding, as seen frequently in urban centres such as Panjim. Environmental changes, such as the loss of wetlands and increased concrete surfaces, lead to water shortages even during periods of adequate rainfall. Integrating artificial groundwater recharge systems with urban drainage infrastructure can help moderate flooding and rejuvenate aquifer levels. 💧 Progress and Challenges: Goa has made some progress with water conservation structures and expanded groundwater irrigation activities, reflected in the annual groundwater recharge in 2021 compared to 2018-19 levels. However, a comparison of recharge from non-rainfall sources with the past decade (2011 onwards) shows that it has almost stagnated, if not decreased. 📜 Policy Gaps: The Goa Groundwater Policy of 2015 recommends increasing the area under groundwater recharge but lacks specifics on recharge and discharge areas. Additionally, the state water policy views community-based management as counter to integrated water resource management. This needs to be rethought. Integrating community-based management can enhance stewardship and accountability, often missing in top-down, command-and-control approaches. Let’s use this festival as a reminder of our duty to (understand and) protect Goa’s water resources. #SaoJoao #Goa #GroundwaterCrisis #WaterConservation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalAwareness #SaveWater #GoanHeritage #SustainableLiving

Deeply insightful and relevant policy perspectives on Heat Action Plans in India, and what they are (and are not), co-penned by my good friend Sahil Mathew. Climate risk assessments that focus on localised risks and vulnerabilities is essential to developing action-oriented plans that speak to the on-ground needs (which are typically varied given the sub-regional differences in how climate impacts are felt). Equally important is the need to develop appropriate nomenclatures for classification of such risks so as to strengthen our communications and responses. Another big piece highlighted is the need to find synergies with other adaptation efforts to increase the pool of finance available for deepening efforts in this area. This is also crucial for the reason that they would help build the joint capacities of relevant state authorities to holistically address the physical risks of climate change across sectors. Such a well written piece - do give it a read.