GUWAHATI, May 13 � The Department of Science & Technology, Government of Assam has decided to set up a State-level climate cell in the environment division of Assam Science Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC).
The GoI has already declared a national action plan on climate change with eight missions, viz. National Solar Mission, National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable Habitat, National Water Mission, National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system, National Mission for a �Green India�, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and National Mission for Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change.
It is now the responsibility of the State Governments to respond to this national action plan by preparing State specific action plan. The State climate cell, set up in ASTEC will prepare a State action plan and submit to the State Government for further action. Moreover, the State climate cell will have other objectives like sensitising the common people, students and teachers on issues related to global warming and climate, to develop local specific climate change mitigation measures, to prioritise research programmes in various sectors to cope with the changes taking place in climate, etc.
The cell will provide special focus to cope with the situation arising out of global climate change in the light of national action plan on climate change. The cell will also facilitate networking with regional, national and international agencies for strengthening and enriching the activities of the climate cell. Overall focus of the cell is to find out strategy to cope with changing climate and related impacts on various fields like agriculture, flood, energy, health, forestry, etc.
The cell will arrange regular interactions with experts from all fields, policy makers and government functionaries. A framework for the state action on climate plan is under preparation. The cell will produce and publish various educational materials for sensitisation of all sections of people, said a press release.
