Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part D (2025)

In recent decades, climate change has emerged as one of the most significant global challenges, disproportionately affecting rural and marginalized communities. In a developing country like India, the impacts of climate variability are acutely felt in villages, where agriculture, livelihoods, water security, and health are particularly vulnerable. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are decentralized local governance bodies that play an important role in effectively implementing climate resilience strategies at the grassroots level. Their unique positioning makes them essential for translating national and state policies into localized, community-specific climate adaptation plans.

Climate resilience refers to the ability of communities, ecosystems, economies, and infrastructure to withstand, adapt to, and recover from the adverse impacts of climate change. It involves enhancing the capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related hazards and stresses. A climate-resilient system can absorb shocks and maintain functionality despite changing climate conditions.

The Panchayat Raj has sufficient power to actively participate in climate-resilient activities. Through the collaborative action of the PRI (Panchayat Raj Institute) three-tier body, we can mitigate the issue of climate change and enhance resilience. This article explores the collaboration of PRIs in climate-resilient strategies and highlights the importance of integrating local governance with sustainable practices to safeguard the environment and promote village-level climate adaptation.