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Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 20 - The Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (ASAPCC) was formally launched at a function held at a hotel here this evening.

Prepared by the Department of Environment and Forests, Assam, the nodal implementing agency, in consultation with line departments, research institutions, NGOs, industry associations and experts, the ASAPCC outlines adaptation strategies for management of forest and biodiversity, water resources, agriculture, livestock, health, energy efficiency, urban space, etc., for mitigating the impact of climate change in diverse spheres.

The action plan was approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change last month. The plan has estimated a total fund requirement of Rs 58,415 crore over the next five years. Unveiling the ASAPCC, State Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia said that river erosion and widening of the Brahmaputra, flash floods and droughts taking place in the State could be linked to changes in climate dynamics in the form of rainfall patterns, temperature changes, etc.

�Climate change is a global environmental threat to mankind having serious implications for sustainable development. This can be countered only by integrating adaptive strategies with the entire developmental process,� he said.

Pointing out that Assam stood to be severely impacted by climate change in view of its unique ecological and geophysical situations, Pipersenia said that climate change concerns had to be dealt with through a multi-disciplinary approach involving cross-sectoral convergence at different levels.

�Both collective and individual action will have a role in negating the effects of climate change. Collective action apart, moderating and modifying our day-to-day lifestyles will also have a bearing on the success of the fight against climate change,� he said.

Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, in his address, stressed the need for promoting scientific research and effecting regional planning and collaboration for tackling climate change. Hugh Walker, Head, Asia Regional Team, Department for Internal Development (DFID), UK, said that climate change called for a matching response by governments with due emphasis on adaptive strategies at the grassroots so that livelihoods remained sustainable.

Dr Sumana Bhattacharya, vice president, Climate Change and Sustainability, IORA Ecological, made a power-point presentation of the ASAPCC, highlighting its salient features.

Those who addressed the meeting included Dr Cristina Rumabitis Del Rio, Regional Programme Manager-CPGD-DFIO, Davinder Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment & Forests and Water Resources, Assam, and Dhrubajyoti Hazarika, Secretary, Environment & Forests, Assam.

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