Our Works
Conference of Panchayats Ernakulam (COPE)
Conference of Panchayats,
Ernakulam
(COPE)
Our Works
Tidal floods have intensified into climate-driven disasters, yet saltwater intrusion remains largely overlooked in India’s climate risk planning and resilience frameworks.
Uniting Local Governance to Tackle Tidal Flooding
Uniting Local Governance to
Tackle Tidal Flooding
Uniting Local Governance to
Tackle Tidal Flooding
Saltwater in our soils. Silence in our systems.
Tidal floods are no longer seasonal inconveniences. They are climate-aggravated disasters. Yet, saltwater intrusion remains unrecognized in India’s climate risk frameworks.
Uniting Local Governance to Tackle Tidal Flooding
Saltwater in our soils. Silence in our systems.
Tidal floods are no longer seasonal inconveniences. They are climate-aggravated disasters. Yet, saltwater intrusion remains unrecognized in India’s climate risk frameworks.
Breaking New Ground in Climate Resilience
On April 25, 2025, COPE brought together all 20 tidal flood-affected panchayats of coastal Ernakulam, along with the District Panchayat, District Collector, DDMA, elected representatives, and key line departments. This historic gathering marked a breakthrough in community-led climate governance.
Convened by the Ernakulam District Panchayat and co-led by EQUINOCT, the conference became a powerful platform for shared recognition and collective action.
Breaking New Ground in Climate Resilience
On April 25, 2025, COPE brought together all 20 tidal flood-affected panchayats of coastal Ernakulam, along with the District Panchayat, District Collector, DDMA, elected representatives, and key line departments. This historic gathering marked a breakthrough in community-led climate governance.
Convened by the Ernakulam District Panchayat and co-led by EQUINOCT, the conference became a powerful platform for shared recognition and collective action.
What COPE Achieved
At the first Conference of Panchayats, five key resolutions were set in motion:
Panchayats pledged local funds toward building community-based adaptation solutions.
Panchayats pledged local funds toward building community-based adaptation solutions.
Panchayats pledged local funds toward building community-based adaptation solutions.
Panchayats pledged local funds toward building community-based adaptation solutions.
Panchayats pledged local funds toward building community-based adaptation solutions.
Priority projects will be taken up by the District Planning Committee for integrated implementation.
Priority projects will be taken up by the District Planning Committee for integrated implementation.
Priority projects will be taken up by the District Planning Committee for integrated implementation.
Priority projects will be taken up by the District Planning Committee for integrated implementation.
Priority projects will be taken up by the District Planning Committee for integrated implementation.
The Disaster Relief Commissioner will survey and assess the most severely affected areas.
The Disaster Relief Commissioner will survey and assess the most severely affected areas.
The Disaster Relief Commissioner will survey and assess the most severely affected areas.
The Disaster Relief Commissioner will survey and assess the most severely affected areas.
The Disaster Relief Commissioner will survey and assess the most severely affected areas.
A larger convening with MLAs, MPs, and additional panchayats was called for — now underway through this seminar.
A larger convening with MLAs, MPs, and additional panchayats was called for — now underway through this seminar.
A larger convening with MLAs, MPs, and additional panchayats was called for — now underway through this seminar.
A larger convening with MLAs, MPs, and additional panchayats was called for — now underway through this seminar.
A larger convening with MLAs, MPs, and additional panchayats was called for — now underway through this seminar.
A shared commitment was made to long-term resilience and collective climate action.
A shared commitment was made to long-term resilience and collective climate action.
A shared commitment was made to long-term resilience and collective climate action.
A shared commitment was made to long-term resilience and collective climate action.
A shared commitment was made to long-term resilience and collective climate action.
These outcomes led to a unanimous resolution to formally recognize tidal flooding as a climate-aggravated disaster, setting the stage for institutional change and budgetary planning
Moving from Science to Action
With over 169 voices in the room, from panchayat presidents to affected community members, the discussions were anchored in lived experience, scientific evidence, and collective will.
COPE is part of EQUINOCT’s ongoing campaign under High Tide Flooding across the Chalakudy and Periyar river basins. It aims to co-create community-driven adaptation strategies and shape decentralised, participatory climate action.
Moving from Science to Action
With over 169 voices in the room, from panchayat presidents to affected community members, the discussions were anchored in lived experience, scientific evidence, and collective will.
COPE is part of EQUINOCT’s ongoing campaign under High Tide Flooding across the Chalakudy and Periyar river basins. It aims to co-create community-driven adaptation strategies and shape decentralised, participatory climate action.
Timeline
Jan 8, 2025
First Conference of Panchayats
20+ flood-affected panchayats unite. Five key resolutions passed, including a call to recognize tidal flooding as a climate-aggravated disaster.
Jan–Mar 2025
Field Action & Coordination
Surveys, data collection, and coordination with DDMA begin. Community outreach intensifies across flood-impacted regions.
Apr 25, 2025
COPE Seminar
169 participants including panchayat leaders, collectors, officials, and residents gather. Policy dialogue deepens. Scientific data and community voices guide next steps.
May–Jul 2025
Implementation & Escalation
District-level planning integrates resilience projects. State-level advocacy moves forward to formalize disaster recognition.
Timeline
Jan 8, 2025
First Conference of Panchayats
20+ flood-affected panchayats unite. Five key resolutions passed, including a call to recognize tidal flooding as a climate-aggravated disaster.
Jan–Mar 2025
Field Action & Coordination
Surveys, data collection, and coordination with DDMA begin. Community outreach intensifies across flood-impacted regions.
Apr 25, 2025
COPE Seminar
169 participants including panchayat leaders, collectors, officials, and residents gather. Policy dialogue deepens. Scientific data and community voices guide next steps.
May–Jul 2025
Implementation & Escalation
District-level planning integrates resilience projects. State-level advocacy moves forward to formalize disaster recognition.
Timeline
Jan 8, 2025
First Conference of Panchayats
20+ flood-affected panchayats unite. Five key resolutions passed, including a call to recognize tidal flooding as a climate-aggravated disaster.
Jan–Mar 2025
Field Action & Coordination
Surveys, data collection, and coordination with DDMA begin. Community outreach intensifies across flood-impacted regions.
Apr 25, 2025
COPE Seminar
169 participants including panchayat leaders, collectors, officials, and residents gather. Policy dialogue deepens. Scientific data and community voices guide next steps.
May–Jul 2025
Implementation & Escalation
District-level planning integrates resilience projects. State-level advocacy moves forward to formalize disaster recognition.
Timeline
Jan 8, 2025
First Conference of Panchayats
20+ flood-affected panchayats unite. Five key resolutions passed, including a call to recognize tidal flooding as a climate-aggravated disaster.
Jan–Mar 2025
Field Action & Coordination
Surveys, data collection, and coordination with DDMA begin. Community outreach intensifies across flood-impacted regions.
Apr 25, 2025
COPE Seminar
169 participants including panchayat leaders, collectors, officials, and residents gather. Policy dialogue deepens. Scientific data and community voices guide next steps.
May–Jul 2025
Implementation & Escalation
District-level planning integrates resilience projects. State-level advocacy moves forward to formalize disaster recognition.