India, Oct. 28 -- After announcing the Rs.31,628 crore aid for flood affected villagers in Marathwada recently, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed the need to "take steps with a long term perspective bearing climate change in mind". "Though it has flooded this time, Marathwada has been synonymous with drought for decades, and that fear of the risk will continue even in the future," Fadnavis told HT, after the announcement.

The risk of climate change is the second crucial challenge that has surfaced in the region, since Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil led a protest for reservation for community members in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, which also stemmed from deprivation.

Water management

In view of the ma...