Drought mitigation practices for hilly regions

Abstract

Hilly regions are spread over 54 million ha providing home to nearly 34 million people and support about 50 million animals distributed in several states. Climate change and variability manifested by way of rising temperatures, changing rainfall pattern, prolonged dry spells and drought like situations and aggravating land degradation are impacting the hill ecosystems. Hill ecosystems are fragile, home to several flora and fauna and vulnerable to climate change. Prolonged dryspells interspersed with intense rainfall are being witnessed, resulting in a drought like situation. Drought mitigating options such as water harvesting, in situ moisture conservation measures, drought tolerant crops and varieties, horticulture systems, perennial fodder production systems can mitigate drought and stabilize production and livelihoods.