Global Change‐Driven Effects of Climate on Food Security of the Indigenous Population of India: A Quality Systematic Review

This qualitative systematic review aims to understand the effect of global climate changes on the food security of the indigenous people (IP) of some areas of India. In India, there are 705 official and recognized ethnic groups, however, it is estimated that there are more ethnic groups that would qualify for the status of Scheduled Tribes but have not been officially recognized yet. Since the beginning of civilization, ethnic groups have helped protect biodiversity in and around their natural habitats in significant ways. As part of in situ biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration, endemic tribal people keep endemic plants and wild types in sacred groves that were once used for shifting agriculture but are now empty. Indigenous and ethnic peoples have adapted to the worst natural conditions. It has been found that the most interesting thing about these indigenous and ethnic groups is that they live in places with rich biodiversity. Moreover, indigenous people’s livelihood and food security are climate- driven and they are keen observers of any change in the same. Climate change and severe events may exacerbate the vulnerability of indigenous populations. It is worth mentioning that the main challenges that are already encountered by the poor IP include economic and political exclusion, abuse of human rights, unemployment, discrimination, and resource depletion. A qualitative systematic review has been performed in this study. The search strategy, PICO model, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data extraction table have been used for a methodological analysis of the research. The impact of climate change on land, wildlife, and water can be detrimental to the IP’s traditional ways of livelihood, and food security. The residents of this specific community were further compelled to transfer and live in the areas where their ancestors had a site for thousands of years to minimize the detrimental effects. It affects their social capital, food security, water supply, sanitary conditions, mental health, ability to fight off infectious diseases and injuries, and availability of healthcare directly or indirectly. These people have a close interaction with the environment and its resources therefore, they are the first to experience the direct effect of climate change. It can be concluded that any change in climate affects the food security of IP in India.