Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3599 regarding climate change and its impact on agriculture, displaced communities, and forest dwellers. It outlines measures for climate-resilient agriculture, rehabilitation mechanisms for climate-induced displacement, and initiatives to safeguard forest dwellers' livelihoods. The response was provided on August 11, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Key Points / Main Content:
Climate Resilient Agriculture:
* The Government is implementing the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) to mitigate climate change impacts on water and food security.
* The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project to study climate change impacts on agriculture and promote climate-resilient technologies.
* Various schemes support small and marginal farmers in dealing with adverse climate situations, including Per Drop More Crop, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Rehabilitation and Compensation Mechanisms:
* The National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) assigns primary responsibility for disaster management and relief to State Governments.
* State Governments undertake relief measures using the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
* The Central Government supplements State efforts with logistics and financial support, including additional assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Safeguarding Livelihoods of Forest Dwellers and Indigenous Communities:
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 1999, focuses on the socio-economic development of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
* The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA) recognizes and vests forest rights.
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements schemes for tribal people, including "Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for MFP".
Impact Analysis:
Small and Marginal Farmers:
* Impact: Benefit from climate-resilient agricultural practices and financial assistance to mitigate climate change impacts.
* Action Required: Utilize available schemes and technologies to adapt to climate change and improve agricultural practices.
State Governments:
* Impact: Primary responsibility for disaster management and relief assistance.
* Action Required: Utilize SDRF for relief measures and coordinate with the Central Government for additional support.
Forest Dwellers and Indigenous Communities:
* Impact: Recognition and vesting of forest rights, along with access to socio-economic development programs.
* Action Required: Understand and exercise their rights under the FRA and participate in available schemes for livelihood improvement.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing NMSA and overseeing climate-resilient agricultural initiatives.
* Action Required: Continue to develop and promote climate-resilient technologies and support State Governments in disaster management.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
* Impact: Focused approach to the integrated socioeconomic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
* Action Required: Implement schemes for tribal people, including those in the forest areas.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: A mission implemented by the Government of India to mitigate the impact of climate change on water and food security.
National Action Plan on Climate Change: A plan that aims to evolve and implement strategies to make the Indian agriculture sector resilient to the changing climate.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research: An autonomous organisation responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.
National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture: A flagship network project launched by ICAR focused on studying the impact of climate change on agriculture and developing climate resilient technologies.
National Policy on Disaster Management: A policy outlining the framework for disaster management in India, assigning primary responsibility to State Governments.
State Disaster Response Fund: A fund used by State Governments to undertake relief measures in the wake of natural calamities.
National Disaster Response Fund: A fund used by the Central Government to provide additional financial assistance to State Governments during disasters.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: A ministry set up in 1999 to provide a more focused approach to the integrated socioeconomic development of the Scheduled Tribes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3599
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Rehabilitation of Displaced Communities
3599. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the measure adopted by the Government for supporting climate resilient agriculture
for small and marginal farmers;
(b) the rehabilitation and compensation mechanisms exist for communities displaced due
to climate induced disasters; and
(c) the initiative taken/proposed to be taken to safeguard the livelihood of forest dwellers
and indigenous communities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The Government is implementing National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
to mitigate the impact of climate change on water and food security. The NMSA is one of the
Missions within the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which aims to evolve
and implement strategies to make Indian agriculture sector resilient to the changing climate.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched a flagship network project
namely National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA). The project focused
on studying the impact of climate change on agriculture including crops, livestock,
horticulture and fisheries and also develop and promote climate resilient technologies in
agriculture.
Considering the challenge posed by climate change in agriculture, several schemes have been
initiated by the Central Government for small and marginal framers to deal with the adverse
climate situations in the agriculture sector across the country namely- Per Drop More Crop,
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Pradhan Mantri
Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North
Eastern Region, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana etc.
(b) As per the National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM), the primary responsibility
for disaster management, including disbursal of relief assistance on ground level, rests with
the State Governments concerned. The State Governments undertakes relief measures in the
wake of natural calamities, from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The Central
Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments and provides requisitelogistics and financial support. Additional financial assistance is provided from the National
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as per laid down procedure.
(c) Ministry of Tribal Affairs was set up in 1999 with the objective of providing a more
focused approach to the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes
(STs). The “Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) was enacted by the Parliament to recognize and vest forest rights.
In addition, several schemes have been implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the
benefit of tribal people, including those in the forest areas such as "Mechanism for marketing
of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of
Value Chain for MFP".
****