Climate Change Mitigation Strategies through Forest Conservation and Afforestation Programs in Kerala: A Tribal Perspective Analysis
Authors :Shynu.V.C
Abstract
This research paper examines climate change mitigation strategies through forest
conservation and afforestation programs in Kerala, India, focusing on the
perspectives of the state's tribal communities. The study explores the impact of
climate change on biodiversity loss, deforestation, land degradation, displacement of
communities, loss of traditional knowledge, limited access to resources and
technology, and conflicts over land and resource ownership (Bhatnagar and Wagh,
2022). The paper highlights the need for integrated approaches combining
conservation, sustainable land management, and community empowerment to
address these challenges (Madhu et al., 2014). It emphasizes the importance of
recognizing and integrating indigenous knowledge systems into climate change
adaptation and mitigation efforts, as well as strengthening policy implementation
and enforcement mechanisms (Shynu, 2012). The paper concludes by stressing the
need to prioritize biodiversity conservation, leverage traditional ecological
knowledge, and foster inclusive and sustainable solutions to safeguard Kerala's
forests and the livelihoods of its tribal communities.
