According to me the adaptation mechanism has to be worked out based on the regional socio-economic background. It should be region specific and accepted & appreciated by the locals, otherwise it will not be sustainable. This of course requires lot of discussions  with all the stake holders and also creation of awareness.

Dear Dr Prasad, You are right. Adaptation mechanisms may vary among communities. But there are still traditional and scientific mechanisms that works for broader areas. Any ways, what do you suggest for sub-saharan Africa where drought is more frequent?

Dear Dr. Birhanu, I am just wondering how there is no drought management strategies worked out by the Government, if it is a recurring phenomenon !!

I agree with you that if you integrate the traditional practices or knowledge with the scientific mechanisms/solutions, it will be more meaningful, successful and sustainable.

Dear all, thank you for your valuable suggestions. If you understood the question, I did not specify the area. I requested you to give drought adaptation mechanisms in your area or in any other area where drought is acute problem. You specify the area and then suggest the adaptation mechanisms used by communities living there. For instance, pastoralists in Ethiopia minimize their vulnerability to drought through migration, destocking/restocking livestock, petty cash, indigenous climate forecasting systems, etc. Therefore, you have a room to let us learn drought adaptation mechanisms in any specific location you may know.

For the Khoi and San people of southern africa, migration with their livestock or following the game was always a strategy in the past when land was common and shared by everyone.

That system has changed and migration is not a viable option.

The consequences of traditional drought prevention was also catastrophic. Only the strongest survived.

In today's southern Africa helping find alternative farming methods which conserve traditional foods is one way of overcoming drought.

We are working with local communities to find solutions to these problems.

Many communities live extremely water scarce areas

Thank you Richard. I want to know such adaptation techniques across drought affected areas. Can you tell us these "alternative farming systems which conserve foods"?

In the context of recurring drought conditions, spatial and temporal variations in water availability, increasing water pollution and the steady increase in water demand over the years, the water management action plans should be aimed at enhancement of surface water and groundwater availability during summer, improvement of water use efficiency, prevention of unscientific land use changes, creation of water awareness, etc.

Some of the strategies are as follows:

 1) Linkage of irrigation and hydel reservoirs with drinking water supply schemes

 2) Construction of minor reservoirs/check dams across rivers/streams at appropriate locations with minimal environmental impact

 3) Development/Rejuvenation of community wells, tanks and ponds, springs, abandoned quarries, etc.

 4) Implementation of watershed development programmes (soil and water conservation measures like contour bunds/trenches, gully plugs, rain pits, afforestation, farm ponds, etc)

   5) Implementation of reduce; recycle and re-use concept of water conservation.

       6) Implementation of rooftop rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge measures, especially in water scarce areas



Dear Dr. Prasad, you mentioned the most important tips that help adaptation in drought prone areas. Most of them are related to conservation and management of water. We know that water is one of the most scarcest resources during drought periods. In addition to water management, there are so many adaptation mechanisms to the impacts of drought. For example, distress migration to less affected areas might be another option. Please add, if any.

Dear Dr. Birhanu, you are right in your statement that other than water there are many other aspects coming under drought mitigation and adaptation. As I have mostly worked on water resources, I have mentioned only that aspect. Hope you will appreciate the same.

Adoption of drought tolerant crop varieties and livestock species were also another option. For instance, camel is more drought tolerant livestock species. Inside less tolerant species, breading is also possible to improve drought tolerance.

Agree to the point that drought tolerant crops varieties and livestock species are also options, but they are highly region/location specific, as there should be demand for these alternatives and economically feasible & profitable. 

Traditional enclosures developed by some local communities was possibly one of the most important interventions, not only in the context of natural resources rehabilitation, but also with respect to livelihood security. Once grasses were emerged in the enclosure, some pastoralists traditionally divide the pasture land into blocks and sustainably graze turn by turn. It was commonly used as dry season grazing reserves for weak and lactating animals and many others. Eco-regeneration of common pool resources like grazing land has a significant impact on the village economy by increasing local carrying capacity, increasing income, creating opportunities for other development interventions, and reducing distress migration. It has also ecological implications like improving biodiversity and mitigation of climate change through carbon sequestration. Production of fodder at large scale offers a means to generate income, and to stock fodder reserves for drought periods.