SEEDS’ film, “Catalysts of Change – Ladakh” has been awarded as the best film in the Climate Change Adaptation category at Asia Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016. The jury said the film accurately captured the spirit of resilience & hope.
The film was made in 2014, as part of the Catalyst of Change project that attempted to study the relationship between local multi-stakeholder forums and policy environment in post-disaster contexts. It is based on the research and field practice experience of the investigators focused on the desert region of Leh, Ladakh.
In the desert mountains of Ladakh, the impacts of climate change are only magnifying in myriad ways. Aside from unprecedented disasters, there are also day-to-day problems. The changes in weather mean the glaciers are actually receding, affecting their crops and water supply. The film focuses on these challenges faced by the community. It also assesses the impact of consolidation of local agents of change, their enablement through knowledge tools and their strategic actions as an institution as enablers for shift in long term recovery programmes, state and national policy environment towards linking DRR and CCA and mainstreaming them in development processes.
As seen in the film, a pilot project by SEEDS has helped villagers in Serthi village analyse their micro-climate through an Automatic Weather Station and climate school. This research done for this project was supported by START and CDKN.
The film beautifully showcases the scenic allure of Ladakh, the locals’ love for the same and their efforts to preserve it.