Abstract— Climate change and land-use alterations are intensifying vulnerabilities in critical river basins, particularly within semi-arid agro-ecologies. This study assesses agro-ecology-specific climate risks, environmental degradation, and adaptation practices in the farming households of two contrasting watershed systems in Tamil Nadu: the Upper Vaigai (rainfed, drought-prone) and the Lower Palar (coastal, flood-prone). Primary data were collected from 200 farm households using a structured survey. The study found that the Upper Vaigai watershed is severely impacted by drought, leading to groundwater depletion, soil moisture deficits, and ecosystem degradation. In contrast, the Lower Palar watershed experiences intensive rainfall, cyclones, and floods, resulting in socioeconomic stresses such as migration and drinking water scarcity. While institutional mechanisms like MGNREGA, crop insurance, and extension services provided some adaptive support, implementation gaps persist. The findings underscore the need for location-specific strategies: enhancing soil and water conservation in Upper Vaigai and strengthening flood resilience and traditional water system management in Lower Palar. Integrating participatory GIS and ICT tools is recommended for building adaptive capacity across these climate-sensitive agro-ecologies.
Muralikrishnan et al. (Sat,) studied this question.