Integrated water resource management for community based climate change adaptation

India has developed to a water stressed scenario in the last decades and is on its way to a water scarce scenario in near future. Climate change affects the quantity and quality of available water sources for various usages. Water supply, agriculture and ecosystems have to face new challenges. Vulnerable communities have to adapt to the changing circumstances to cope with the situation. With Integrated Water Resource Management (IWMR) the various sectors of public and private water users can work out sustainable approaches to foster development and prosperity while taking into account the changing circumstances. Especially small rural communities with their livelihoods directly dependent on local natural resources are in urgent need to implement IWRM strategies in order to address climate changes. 

The presented case study has worked out an integrated approach to address the needs of the various community groups consisting of farmers, fishermen and daily labourers. The self-governing local bodies together with self-help groups, NGOs and representatives from the various economic stakeholders have developed several up gradation measures for their water resources and the water supply system addressing projected climate change impacts. Changing water demand and ecological impacts have been taken into account. Catchment protection and pollution prevention measures have been worked out for the river basin, which is the source for the water supply scheme. In cooperation with state departments and district authorities a long term solution for a safe and sustainable water supply is being elaborated for meeting the demands and necessities of all stakeholders in the river basin.