Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 14 (EMN): With an aim to achieve the interdepartmental views on climate change and to ensure developmental planning, a ‘consultation workshop’ for stakeholders concerned was conducted at the conference hall of Hotel Japfü in Kohima on Dec. 14.
It may be mentioned that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has directed all state governments to revise their state action plan on climate change (SAPCC) based on the commitment made under the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
As a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, India has submitted its NDC at COP in Paris in Dec. 2015, by pledging to contribute to the global Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction along with outline of adaption priorities.
The additional principal chief conservator of forests (territorial), department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, M Mhonbemo Ngullie in his keynote address, requested all the stakeholders to be “frank and participate fully” in the discussion in order to address the issues of climate change.
For few decades, climate irregularities have been observed, including the increased annual average temperature, excessive rainfall and flash flood, prolonged heat waves and so on, Ngullie remarked. The government of Nagaland has identified various sectors that are vulnerable to climate change including water resources, energy, agriculture, forests and others. Some of the main areas that were taken into consideration were agriculture, water and forests, he added.
Ngullie lamented at the “zero number” of tigers in the whole of the state of Nagaland, “which is very shameful.” ‘In the food chain, the tiger occupies top slot and when there is tiger in the forest, it is healthy, but if there is no tiger, the forest is not healthy,’ he pointed out.
Keeping all these in view, Ngullie reminded all the stakeholders present to take the workshop as discussion on sustainable development, climate friendly topics and various related issues and not just a mere review.
Papia Chakraborty, consultant at CTRAN gave a presentation on the topic ‘overview of state action plan on climate change (SAPCC).’ She pointed out the key objectives of SAPCC— to re-examine the state specific impact; to take stock of the implementation of SAPCC during 2013-2017; to re-examine various actions; and prepare climate action plans for 2018 to 2023.
She also highlighted various targets to be achieved under the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These goals include: to reduce emission of intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030; to achieve 40% of electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel by 2030; to create additional carbon sink of 2.3 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover; and adaptation strategy to include actions in agriculture, water, health, disaster management, protecting biodiversity and Himalayan ecosystem, and securing rural livelihoods.
CTRAN consultant Ishani Mohanty also gave a presentation on urban sector regarding the climate change impact on the sector, key issues affecting the sector, physical activities, progress mapping, etc. The key action plan for the urban sector were also–such as banning of vehicles above 20 years old to ply on road; introducing two-wheeler taxis or rent-a-bike service.
Also, the enforcement of the Nagaland Building By-Laws by the ULBs for sensitising the public about its significance, and establishment of dedicated municipal cadre in the ULBs to help the local bodies in implementing and executing infrastructure development projects were discussed.
Some of the activities undertaken by the urban sector were also highlighted. The sewerage project—pollution abatement of river Dhansiri and Diphu is being undertaken so as to reduce the high pollution level of both the rivers. A total number of 16,015 individual toilets were sanctioned out of which 6,892 units were completed, it was informed.
235 community toilets were said to have been sanctioned in the 19 ULBs out of which 165 units are reported to have been completed. For the solid waste collection and transportation in seven towns, 51 vehicles were purchased, according to the official.
Earlier, the chief conservator of forests and state nodal officer for Climate Change, Supongnukshi said that the workshop was conducted in order to obtain reviews, suggestions and comments from the stakeholders.
Accordingly, the report will be finalised, he said. Clarifying to the query about the decrease in forest area in Nagaland over the years, he said that agro-foresting activities such as cutting down of trees to cultivate various plantations like rubber, orange etc., have contributed to the decrease in forest cover area despite the fact that jhum cultivation has decreased to a large extend in all the districts.
Individuals and various departments took part in the workshop. Some of the departments were Municipal Affairs, Nagaland Bio Resource Mission, Agriculture, Public Health Engineering, Forest, CTRAN consulting, NASTEC, Water Resources, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Soil and Water and GIS.
