Climate change knows no borders; its effects reach every corner of our planet. An impending climate crisis looms, and we find ourselves ill-prepared for the consequences.
Human activities drive climate change, putting our planet’s delicate balance at risk. Escalating greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated this process beyond earlier predictions. The repercussions are dire, encompassing erratic weather patterns and sea level increases.
Unchecked, climate change threatens to unravel decades of hard-won development achievements. Its rampant course may force mass migrations, sparking instability, and conflict on a global scale.
Sustainable Development Goal 13
The Sustainable Development Goals, often referred to as Global Goals, represent a set of seventeen interconnected aspirations that are envisioned as a universal roadmap, aiming to foster peace and prosperity for humanity and our planet and for future generations. Sustainable Development Goal 13 official mission statement is to “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.” This one of seventeen Sustainable Development Goals was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
Let’s take a look at the goals of the SDG 13
- Enhance global capacity to adapt to climate-related risks and natural disasters.
- Integrate climate change considerations into national policies and strategies.
- Improve education, awareness, and capabilities for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster reduction.
- Fulfill the pledge made by developed nations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 for developing countries, supporting their mitigation actions with transparency.
- Strengthen climate change planning and management capacities in the least developed countries and small island states, emphasizing inclusivity of women, youth, and marginalized communities.
How Can India Achieve SDG 13?
Water management plays a significant role. While SDG 13 primarily focuses on mitigating and addressing the impacts of climate change, effective water management is closely linked to climate action in the following ways:
Mitigation of Climate Change
- Water management practices can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, improving water use efficiency in agriculture will lead to reduced energy consumption for irrigation, lowering carbon emissions.
- Sustainable urban water management, including efficient water supply and wastewater treatment, will reduce energy consumption and associated emissions.
Resilience to Climate Change
- Proper water management will enhance resilience to climate change impacts. This includes flood control measures, sustainable groundwater management, and the development of water storage and distribution systems.
- Effective management of water resources ensures a reliable water supply for communities, agriculture, and industries, even in the face of changing climate patterns.
Ecosystem Protection
- Healthy ecosystems, including wetlands and forests, help in carbon sequestration. Proper water management, such as protecting these ecosystems and maintaining the ecological balance of rivers, lakes, and watersheds, is essential for climate mitigation.
- Restoring degraded ecosystems through water management will improve their capacity to capture and store carbon.
Reduce Vulnerability to Climate-Related Water Scarcity
- As climate change affects rainfall patterns and water availability, efficient water management practices, including rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation, will help reduce water scarcity in vulnerable regions.
- Sustainable management of water resources ensures a more reliable and equitable water distribution during times of scarcity.
Integration with Climate Policies
In summary, water management is integral to climate action (SDG 13) due to its role in reducing emissions, enhancing climate resilience, and protecting ecosystems. The sustainable and responsible management of water resources is essential for addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring a sustainable and resilient future. However, it’s necessary to understand that the success of these measures will depend on their effective implementation by NGOs and their consistent efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing climate.
Which is the top rural development NGO in India?
S M Sehgal Foundation
In pursuit of the vision for a more secure, prosperous, and dignified life for all, S M Sehgal Foundation focuses on strengthening community-led development initiatives to create positive social, economic, and environmental change in rural India.
Established in 1999 as a public charitable trust, S M Sehgal Foundation has a dedicated and skilled team committed to designing sustainable programs that address the most pressing needs in rural India.
The foundation’s mission is crystal clear: it is dedicated to reinforcing community-led development initiatives to bring about positive changes in rural India’s social, economic, and environmental fabric. The ultimate goal is to empower every individual in rural India to lead a life characterized by security, prosperity, and dignity.
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4.63 million
People Reached
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2,358
Villages
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61
Districts
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12
States
Contributions by the top sustainable rural development NGO in India!
Increasing Farmers’ Income through Solar Water Pumps
Deenu, the sole provider for his family of nine, relied on agriculture for his livelihood. In recent years, he faced challenges due to delayed irrigation, causing crop damage and reduced income. To address this issue, a Village Development Committee meeting was held in September, where Deenu learned about Solar Water Pump technology and expressed his interest in adopting it.
With support from the HDFC Bank Parivartan – CSR project in collaboration with S M Sehgal Foundation, Deenu was selected as a beneficiary. He contributed INR 88,500 toward the solar water pump installed on his field, ensuring reliable irrigation.
The solar water pump resolved Deenu’s water-related issues, allowing him to irrigate his six-acre land efficiently, resulting in a 10% increase in crop production. Deenu also offered irrigation services to neighboring farmers, earning INR 1,000 per acre per session and irrigating an additional 25 acres, generating INR 25,000. This intervention directly benefited Deenu and supported the irrigation of an extra twelve acres, promoting sustainable resource management.
Lakshiwas Pond Conserves Water
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The establishment of the pond by the project’s team in Lakshiwas is commendable indeed. It conserves water, which we all need to do. We thank the project team for this initiative to benefit us.
~ Suresh Bhedi, the village’s sarpanch
Lakshiwas village, nestled in the Anantpura gram panchayat of the Behror block in Alwar, Rajasthan, is home to approximately 140 families, predominantly engaged in farming. The village’s proximity to two small hills had an unforeseen downside during the monsoon season when rainwater cascaded down from these hills into the village. Instead of being a boon, this water brought woes, inundating agricultural fields and causing inconvenience within the village.
In January 2019, S M Sehgal Foundation, supported by CSR initiatives, initiated a transformative project in Lakshiwas. In February 2019, the project team engaged with the local gram panchayat and the village community, proposing the construction of a pond to intercept the rainwater flow from the hills. The objective was to store and harness this water for groundwater replenishment and mitigate the issues caused by flooding. They even significantly contributed INR 42,210 toward the pond’s sustainability once the project team had completed their work.
Construction of the pond, fortified with earthen embankments, commenced in March 2019 and concluded by April 2019. This reservoir boasts a remarkable capacity of fourteen million liters. Thanks to this intervention, rainwater from the hills is meticulously collected and stored in the pond, averting crop damage and stopping water wastage. This organized water percolation into the ground replenishes the groundwater table. Dry wells near the pond now have a replenished water supply, and the pond serves as a vital resource for livestock, local wildlife, and birds in the region.
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