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Monthly Environment News » Climate change has led to low productivity

Climate change has led to low productivity
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 10 2011: To finalise the 'State Action Plan on Combating Climate Change' to be implemented with Environment and Ecology Wing of the Government of Manipur as nodal agency, a state level consultative workshop was held at Hotel Classic here today.

The inaugural function of the day-long consultative workshop was attended by Principal Secretary of Forest and Environment Dr J Suresh Babu, IAS as Chief Guest; Team Leader of International Resources Group Systems South Asia Private Limited (IRGSSA), India Dr Surjit Singh as President and Senior Advisor on Climate Change Adaptation, GIZ, Germany Dr Sanjoy Tommar as Guest of Honour. Speaking on the occasion, Dr J Suresh Babu observed that change in climate and its resultant global warming has started posing threat to the existence of human beings on earth. Around 25 years back, Government offices including the Secretariat and other private houses did not require air-conditioning. But today, with mercury level rising, it has become a necessity. This is a sign of the impact of climate change, Dr Suresh pointed out.

To combat climate change in India, the Ministry of Environment and Forest has already formulated a National Action Plan, and following instructions in this regard to all State Governments, the Government of Manipur too has drafted a State Action Plan. The implementation of the State Action Plan would require the collective efforts of various Departments and Line Departments, Dr Suresh explained. Senior Scientific Officer of Environment and Ecology Wing Dr M Homeshore, who made a presentation on the topic 'A profile on climate change in Manipur and preparation : Its action and plan', pointed out that today Manipur is no exception to the impact of climate change and the annual rainfall rate has come down from 2217.90 millilitre in 1968 to 916.90 millilitre in 2007 while rise in temperature has been recorded to 25 Celsius degree in 1969 to 29.72 Celsius degree in 2008 . The impact of climate change has also affected the rich bio-diversity of the region and the degrading environment has led to low productivity, thereby giving a serious setback on the economic growth of the State, Dr Homeshwar said.

Explaining that increase in the level of Methane, Carbon dioxide, Nitride Oxide in the atmosphere is one of the main factors of climate change, Dr Homeshore noted that whether the climate adaptation and mitigation programme should be taken up separately or jointly as complementary strategy needs to be analysed properly. During the consultative workshop, Dr Sanjoy Tommar and Dr Surjit Singh also spoke on the topics of 'Progress of preparation of State Action Plan on Climate Change' and 'Sectoral issues and adaption strategies in agriculture, water and forest in Manipur' respectively. Participants shared their suggestions and recommendations in the draft of the State Action Plan which is to be implemented covering different sectors like ecosystem, bio-diversity and livelihood sustainability, water resources, agriculture, health, forest, energy, urban planning, resource and development, human resource development, etc.