Climate-resilient practices in Indian cities (India)

Situated in the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar faces escalating climate change impacts, particularly an increasing frequency of floods. Projections suggest increased risk for Srinagar’s 2 million inhabitants, worsened by population expansion and urbanization, with urban poor communities being particularly vulnerable. This research focuses on Dal dwellers, a water-dependent community intricately linked to Dal Lake. It examines their vulnerability to climate change, sanitation system challenges, and community and system responses to climate hazards. Findings reveal that climate hazards disrupt the entire sanitation service chain for Dal dwellers, impacting household toilets, disposal sites, and related services. Flooding leads to sanitation access issues, triggering open defecation and alternative usage of neighbouring or public facilities. Particularly, women, girls, and households with disabled members face heightened challenges during climate hazards. The research underscores the threat climate change poses to achieving safely managed sanitation, emphasizing the need for climate-resilient sanitation systems and informing local and national policies.