Managing extreme natural disasters in coastal areas

Author(s):  
P.C Kesavan ◽  
M.S Swaminathan

Extreme natural hazards, particularly the hydro-meteorological disasters, are emerging as a cause of major concern in the coastal regions of India and a few other developing countries. These have become more frequent in the recent past, and are taking a heavy toll of life and livelihoods. Low level of technology development in the rural areas together with social, economic and gender inequities enhance the vulnerability of the largely illiterate, unskilled, and resource-poor fishing, farming and landless labour communities. Their resilience to bounce back to pre-disaster level of normality is highly limited. For the planet Earth at crossroads, the imminent threat, however, is from a vicious spiral among environmental degradation, poverty and climate change-related natural disasters interacting in a mutually reinforcing manner. These, in turn, retard sustainable development, and also wipe out any small gains made thereof. To counter this unacceptable trend, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation has developed a biovillage paradigm and rural knowledge centres for ecotechnological and knowledge empowerment of the coastal communities at risk. Frontier science and technologies blended with traditional knowledge and ecological prudence result in ecotechnologies with pro-nature , pro-poor and pro-women orientation. The rural communities are given training and helped to develop capacity to adopt ecotechnologies for market-driven eco-enterprises. The modern information and communication-based rural knowledge centres largely operated by trained semi-literate young women provide time - and locale - specific information on weather, crop and animal husbandry, market trends and prices for local communities, healthcare, transport, education, etc. to the local communities. The ecotechnologies and time- and locale-specific information content development are need-based and chosen in a ‘bottom-up’ manner. The use of recombinant DNA technology for genetic shielding of agricultural crops for coastal regions against abiotic stress (induced by the water- and weather-related natural disasters), strengthens the foundations of sustainable agriculture undertaken by the resource-poor small farm families.

2021 ◽  
Vol 212 (09) ◽  
pp. 80-92
Author(s):  
S. Golovina ◽  
Aleksey Ruchkin ◽  
I. Mikolaychik ◽  
L. Smirnova

Abstract. The use of the experience of implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the member states of the European Union (EU) is relevant both for Russia and for other countries of the world interested in the successful development of the agrarian sector of the economy and rural areas. The role of rural areas in achieving national security of countries and regions (food, biological, environmental and other) is increasing significantly due to the current challenges and threats (climate change, COVID-19 pandemic, aggravation of the international situation). The purpose of the study, the results of which are presented in this article, is to scrutinise the special approach implemented under the CAP. This approach is referred to in European law as LEADER/CLLD and refers to a close combination of comprehensive cross-sector interaction with active involvement of local communities in rural development. In the work, analytical and review research methods were used, with the help of which (1) the current (relevant to the research topic) legislation, (2) programs implemented in the EU member states, (3) significant scientific publications were subject to scrupulous study. The result of the work is a review and analysis of the findings and practical recommendations for the future use of the various aspects of LEADER/CLLD in domestic political and economic practice. The application of this approach takes into account the fact that the experience of local residents, combined with the opinions of other stakeholders, can help to better adapt rural development policy to real needs and opportunities, and to form a specific (unique) human capital within the boundaries of rural communities. Human capital includes, in addition to specific skills, (1) the ability to take constructive initiatives, (2) a sense of local identity and ownership, (3) the ability to participate as equals with other partners in defining local development strategies, (4) trust between people, private enterprises, public institutions and sectoral communities interested in successful rural development, formed through constant interaction. Theoretical and practical conclusions regarding the content of LEADER/CLLD initiatives, as well as findings related to the possibilities of introducing tools and mechanisms to support rural areas, implemented directly with the involvement of local communities with financial support from the state, are of scientific novelty.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
Hajnalka Madai ◽  
András Nábrádi ◽  
Miklós Lapis

The question of sustainability of agricultural production especially animal production and events leading to its development can be dated back to the second part of the last century. Sustainability is a priority subject matter as it is a core element in our existence and in the survival of the forthcoming generations. The notion of sustainability comprises three aspects: ecological, social and political and economic target systems, which by now have been supplemented with cultural and regional elements including the protection of environment, local traditions, scale of values, cultural and historical heritage. The principles of sustainable development also include the improvement of human and animal health and the maintenance of vital rural communities. The priority notion of sustainability of agricultural production refers also to animal husbandry and especially sheep production. Sheep have contributed substantially to the grassland-based agricultural production in Hungary for centuries. Sheep sector is important in rural areas as the tool of sustainability of animal production. It should also be highlighted that contrary to numerous efforts, the globally difficult process of sustainable development poses almost unsolvable problems for implementers even on local and regional levels. This paper will review briefly the levels of sustainability in the Hungarian animal production with a special regard to sheep production and their content and then points out the most significant economic issues by the application of “SWOT” – analysis, “problem tree’and “structure of objectives” methods, on the grounds of the received findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sotiroula Liasidou ◽  
Christiana Stylianou ◽  
Galina Berjozkina ◽  
Zanete Garanti

PurposeThis paper aims to provide an understanding of residents' perceptions of how tourism activity in a rural area impacts their environment as well as their economic and social lives individually and as a community.Design/methodology/approachAs a primary method of data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 residents in the rural areas of Cyprus.FindingsThe study's findings suggest that tourism activity in the rural areas provides a plethora of opportunities to residents, but comes with challenges and threats. Both social and environmental impacts are mainly for the benefit of the local communities as the engine of development. Emphasis is given to the revival of the local culture with the emergence of small and medium enterprises, along with the motivation of younger populations and women to become active entrepreneurs. However, a more holistic approach should be taken to sustainable tourism development in Cyprus, ensuring that all local communities have an opportunity to develop small-scale niche tourism products that enhance the image of rural destinations and which become a source of pride for the residents.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature by enhancing knowledge of the relationship between tourism and local rural communities. Shedding light on residents' perceptions by evaluating social and environmental impacts can guide government policy making and implementation.


2003 ◽  
pp. 177-194
Author(s):  
Krstan Malesevic

When discussing the future of rural areas for rural sociology (which aims at developing a holistic approach), the most important issue is certainly the question of fate of local communities in rural areas. Reviewing the enormous literature on countryside and agriculture, one can notice an overwhelming dominance of articles that focus on the agrarian and economic policy, often written fairly in the form of agro-economic reductionism. The totality of human life in rural communities is often lost in the fragmentary analysis of individual scientific disciplines. That is why there is a lack of knowledge on the meaning and content of (new) rurality, rural relationships, rural values, rural communities, rural ways of life and on integral rural development in conceptual-theoretical as well as in practical-empirical sense. This problem, understandably, affects different aspects of the complex phenomenon of "rurality" in our situation. However, regardless of the evident insufficiency of synthetic knowledge about our countryside as a social community, it is clearly evident that rural areas are in deep crisis. Local communities in the majority of our rural areas are completely marginalised. Great number of these communities are in the process of disintegration and disappearance. They have lost a "spirit of time" and identity and have not acquired a new one. Furthermore, in some rural areas local communities have literally vanished. In other words, it is difficult to find in our society any active rural communities with a clear future prospects. That is why the crucial question for social theory as well as for social practice is: Which are the economic, demographic, technological and especially socio-cultural prerequisites of renewal and development of local communities in the near future? Without their revitalisation there is no development of rural areas and vice versa. In the focus of this renewal there should be an adequate spatial, functional, organic and emotional connection of people living there. In other words, their participation and their self-identification with these communities is a key prerequisite. Although the renewal of our rural communities is an extremely difficult task, filled with many dilemmas, inconsistencies and objective contradictions, it is not unresolvable, at least for one type of these communities. With the well-thought strategy of planning and management of rural development, these processes can be accelerated and channelled in the desired direction. This paper discusses some possible solutions and gives more concrete propositions in relation to this problem.


Jurnal IPTA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
I Made Adikampana ◽  
I Nyoman Sunarta ◽  
Ni Luh Kerti Pujani

The local community always took for granted the establishment of a tourist village as a rural tourism product. Likewise prevailed in Pinge Tourism Village, Tabanan Regency, Bali. In the context of developing rural tourism products in the Pinge Tourism Village, the participation of local communities is required to ensure the sustainability of tourism in rural areas. This paper aims to build a model for developing local community-based rural tourism products in Pinge Tourism Village. Community-based tourism (CBT) approaches are used to formulate models for rural tourism product development. The required data is collected through observation and interviews and then analyzed descriptively. The results of the analysis indicate local community-based rural tourism products are tourist pull factors in rural areas in the form of environmental characteristics and the practice of rural communities. The uniqueness of rural character and rural community routines are tourism capital posses by local communities. In addition to physical and socio-cultural uniqueness, rural tourism products are also determined by conformity with the target market. The existence of this rural tourism product model can increase local community participation in decision making and sharing of tourism benefits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10(1) (10(1)) ◽  
pp. 333-348
Author(s):  
Ngonidzashe Makwindi ◽  
Joram Ndlovu

The purpose of this article was to examine the prospects and challenges of community based tourism as a livelihood diversification strategy for people living adjacent to the Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho. The main objective was to explore how rural communities living close to the World Heritage Site shift and diversity their livelihoods from farm to non-farm activities in order to sustain their livelihoods. This study adopted a mixed method approach. Data was collected through surveys (286) and in-depth key informant interviews (11). The results show that local communities support the use of tourism as a livelihood diversification strategy to provide off-farm entrepreneurial opportunities. The greatest challenge is that local communities are often pushed into marginal lands, with harsh climatic conditions resulting in the disruption of local fabric and their economies. The study concludes that the establishment of Sehlabathebe National Park has not significantly improved the status quo of the community. Therefore, local communities should be given opportunities to sell their products and services to tourists and work in partnership with park authorities in conserving the park resources. The paper contributes to the current discourses on the use of community based tourism as a livelihood diversification strategy in rural areas.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Jacek Pieczonka

The village renewal as a development method is one of the ways to achieve development goals, understood not only as an improvement of the infrastructure quality – but in general – as an enhancement of the widely comprehended life quality, which cannot be achieved without involvement of inhabitants themselves. The aim of this article is an attempt to present the Village Renewal Programme (with the example of the Opolskie Voivodeship) as an element stimulating local communities, strengthening social capital, which can be expressed by the number of projects implemented by individual rural administrative units. To achieve this aim, the reports of the rural administrative units (about 600 a year) on the implementation of the Rural Renewal Programme (in the period of 2013–2015) were analyzed. The most important conclusion that can be drawn from the conducted research is that the Rural Renewal Programme has proved to be an effective concept and method for developing rural areas, where it has been implemented so far. By the means of this undertaking it was possible to mobilize numerous rural communities with inadequate amount of funds to initiate activities, which had been reflected in the number of implemented projects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Idowu Ajayi ◽  
Wilson Akpan

This article drew from a population-based survey of 413 women to determine the proportion of births assisted by the family in resource-poor areas of Nasarawa State. “Resource-poor settings” was defined as rural communities without access to health facilities. This exploratory study utilised a two-stage cluster random sampling technique to select 413 houses where questionnaires were administered to women who had given birth in the five years preceding the study. Simple descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the study data. The analysis reveals gross inequality in access to skilled birth facilities during childbirth in Nasarawa State. Births at home were common in rural areas among women of low socio-economic status who were illiterate. In resource-poor settings (where health facilities were unavailable), the family played a substantial role in child delivery. Specifically, while doctors and nurses attended to about 90 per cent of all births in resource-rich settings (where health facilities are available), the family members took delivery of 51.5 per cent of all births in resource-poor settings. Family members or relatives delivered the majority of the births that took place at home (61.6%). The traditional birth attendants assisted only 11.5 per cent of births within resource-poor settings, compared to only two per cent within resource-rich settings. The findings emphasised that the role of the family in caregiving during childbirth is not limited to providing social capital and emotional support but they also act as key caregivers, especially in resource-poor settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azwindini Isaac Ramaano

PurposeThis study evaluates tourism implications and challenges around the Big Tree Nature Reserve with its adjacent tourism ventures and entities in Musina Municipality, Limpopo Province, in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachData got compiled by interviews and questionnaires in addition to focus group discussions and physical observation.FindingsThe study revealed many challenges associated with tourism undertakings around the Big Tree Nature Reserve and its nearby tourism entities. The benefits of tourism were not efficiently tapped into by the local communities within and around the study area. The factors contributing to the poor state of tourism running got delineated by the findings of the study. Hence, there was a potential obligation for a turnaround effective tourism strategy to improve tourism enterprises to benefits local communities within the area.Originality/valueMusina Municipality is one of the remote regions in the North of Limpopo Province, in South Africa. It also has impoverished rural communities akin to many rural areas within the continent. Despite the mentioned, it considerably covers a mostly tourism-orientated area within the Vhembe District.


Author(s):  
Remus Runcan

According to Romania’s National Rural Development Programme, the socio-economic situation of the rural environment has a large number of weaknesses – among which low access to financial resources for small entrepreneurs and new business initiatives in rural areas and poorly developed entrepreneurial culture, characterized by a lack of basic managerial knowledge – but also a large number of opportunities – among which access of the rural population to lifelong learning and entrepreneurial skills development programmes and entrepreneurs’ access to financial instruments. The population in rural areas depends mainly on agricultural activities which give them subsistence living conditions. The gap between rural and urban areas is due to low income levels and employment rates, hence the need to obtain additional income for the population employed in subsistence and semi-subsistence farming, especially in the context of the depopulation trend. At the same time, the need to stimulate entrepreneurship in rural areas is high and is at a resonance with the need to increase the potential of rural communities from the perspective of landscape, culture, traditional activities and local resources. A solution could be to turn vegetal and / or animal farms into social farms – farms on which people with disabilities (but also adolescents and young people with anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and alexithymia issues) might find a “foster” family, bed and meals in a natural, healthy environment, and share the farm’s activities with the farmer and the farmer’s family: “committing to a regular day / days and times for a mutually agreed period involves complying with any required health and safety practices (including use of protective clothing and equipment), engaging socially with the farm family members and other people working on and around the farm, and taking on tasks which would include working on the land, taking care of animals, or helping out with maintenance and other physical work”


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