Climate change adaptation programme held in Manipur

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Oct.14 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that people’s involvement, co-operation and awareness campaigns on the impact of climate change is very much important for conserving and preserving the ecology and environment. This was stated by him at the orientation programme for Legislatures and Administrative Secretaries on Climate Change Adaptation here on Friday evening. The programme was organised by Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur in association with Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and Swiss Agency for Development and Co-Operation (SDC).
Addressing the gathering, he said that the State government is targeting to achieve the National commitments on climate change mitigation and adaptation like generation of 105 MW of on-grid solar roof top facilities by 2022, enhancing of water accessibility and rejuvenation of water resources including stream head management, protection of wetlands and other natural resources. The government would promote organic farming along with modern and scientific agriculture in the State, he added.
Informing that the recent flood and landslides due to climate change impact in Manipur had claimed at least 22 lives besides destroying many houses and standing crops and live stocks, he said the need of the hour is to give alternative way of livelihood. A detailed project report will be prepared for the conservation and restoration of Lamphelpat, the popular wetland in Imphal area.
On the other hand Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar said Climate Change is not just a threat to the environment but also to growth and development of the nation and state in particular. He added the ongoing Climate Change Adaptation Project at Phayeng village in Imphal West district is one of the integrated model projects undertaken by the eight line departments with public support.
In her speech, Head and Counsellor, Swiss Cooperation Office India, Embassy of Switzerland Ms Marylaure Crettaz said, “The climate change is growing concern of the world and mountainous region and young people to take action as soon as possible.” SDC and DST jointly designed the Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, capacity building, risk assessment and raise public awareness on the impact of climate change,she added.
She also informed that the Indo-Swiss Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change has taken up various projects and activities such as to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, capacity building, risk assessment and raise public awareness on the impact of climate change. Such orientation Programme for Legislatures and Administrative Secretaries on Climate Change adaptation is a part of training programme conducted with the help of NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS) in various States.
Earlier delivering a talk on ‘Climate Policy and Climate Finance: its Opportunities,’ former special secretary Hem Pande of environment ministry appealed to integrate the development programmes in an environment friendly manner to counter the impact of climate change in future.Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, Administrative Secretaries, delegates from outside the State participated in the orientation programme.