Satvi Himanshu Suresh Shubhangi

UI4051

Srinagar, located in the valley of Kashmir is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change seen through increased frequency of floods. Climate models indicate these hazards of flooding will increase in frequency and intensity, affecting 2 million people living in Srinagar. Population growth and urbanization will increase this risk, with the city’s urban poor being most vulnerable. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) services are the first to bear the brunt of climate hazards, with attendant adverse consequences on other essential services including the wider public health. Hence, this research is to better understand Dal dwellers, a water-borne community whose ecosystem is intertwined with that of the Dal lake, are vulnerable to climate change, face vulnerabilities of sanitation systems, and how communities and systems respond to past and current climate hazards. The analysis from the study of Dal dwellers shows that climate hazards impact the whole sanitation service chain, beginning from the household toilet to the disposal site encompassing emptying, transportation, and treatment services. Lack of access to sanitation due to flooding, also reported to cause open defecation or use of alternatives, such as neighbours’ toilets or public facilities. Women and girls, and households with a disabled family member bear the greatest brunt of the impact of climate change through higher levels of stress, discomfort, and anxiety in meeting their defecation needs during climate hazards. Climate hazards thus undermine progress in access to WaSH services, especially in vulnerable areas and pose a substantial threat to achieving safely managed sanitation. This research presents studies of climate impacts on sanitation services and importantly considers the social, ecological, and economical aspects. It provides sound evidence base to inform local and national government policies and plans to prepare for climate resilient sanitation systems and thus aligns with the theme “Accelerating the Climate Resilient Sanitation“