15 Karnataka districts vulnerable to climate change, need mitigation measures: Study

Bengaluru: As many as 15 districts in Karnataka are vulnerable to climate change with Bagalkot, Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural topping the chart despite their relatively high adaptive capacity, a new study by the Bengaluru-based Institute for Social and Economic Change has revealed.

The study has also found that Kodagu, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga in the Western Ghats are among the eight districts highly exposed to climate extremes.

While vulnerability studies generally look into the physical aspects of vulnerability, researchers Karnika A and professor Krishna Raj have sought to understand the intensity of climate vulnerability of the 30 districts (including undivided Ballari) and understand the position of different socio-economic groups.

As part of the study, a range of data including historical rainfall figures, socio-economics, demography, gross domestic product and per capita income (PCI) of the districts were evaluated to develop exposure, sensitivity and adaptability, which in turn helped to tabulate the final vulnerability index of each district.

Eight districts have been found to be highly exposed to climate extremes like floods and droughts. Udupi tops the chart, followed by Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Yadgir.

The districts in the Ghats, which receive an average annual rainfall of about 4,000 mm, are vulnerable because any increase or change in the precipitation patterns will make them prone to floods.

Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Ballari, Davangere, Chitradurga and Tumakuru top the sensitivity index, which measures how a district will fare in case of an impact by climate extremes along with size and duration of such an event.

However, it is not the mere exposure index that decides a district's vulnerability, but the system's capacity to endure and recover from the event in relation to its exposure and sensitivity. Districts with poor adaptive capacities may still be considered less vulnerable because they are not exposed to risks and are less sensitive due to better PCI, gender equality, food security and other positive measures.

"The vulnerability is decided by a combination of factors. For instance, Bengaluru has high per capita income but its pollution levels are also high. The rising air pollution and limited access to clean water, health risks, poor access to housing and the exposure of unorganised workers have made both Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts very highly vulnerable," Prof Raj explains.

The study says districts with a high population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were also vulnerable. "Take the example of Bidar. We have found that the district comes under moderate adaptive capacity but has high exposure levels," the study says.

Karnika says the major factors in making a district safer are issues like education, food security and access to infrastructure. "Districts that invest in various works that help mitigate and adapt to climate extremes fare better in the study," she says.

The study recommends long-term initiatives and policies to complement the adaptation schemes in agriculture, horticulture and other fields to face the challenges posed by climate change.