Draft report on Climate Change by December
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 10 2011: The draft report on the State Action Plan on Climate Change is likely to be published in December this year following the conclusion of the final consultative meeting which was held at Classic Hotel here today. The draft report will be culled from the numerous inputs, views and contributions made by the participants during the consultative meetings. The meetings focused on the areas of ecosystem, biodiversity and sustainability.

The State Action Plan on Climate Change formulated by the Germany based GIZ and the International Resources Group System South Asia with the State Environment and Ecology Wing as the nodal agency has chalked out eight different missions to tackle the issue of climate change. Some of the missions planned under the State Action Plan are State Mission for Ecosystem, Biodiversity and Livelihood Sustainability; State Mission for Water Resources, State Mission for Agriculture and Allied Activities and the State Mission for Health and Security.

State Mission for Green Manipur, State Mission for Urban Planning and State Mission for Climate Change Knowledge and Information are the other points. Speaking at the inaugural function of the consultative workshop, Principal Secretary (Forest and Environment) Dr J Suresh Babu said that there was no need of air-conditioners in Manipur 30 years back.

"But today, the climate of Manipur has changed very much", he said. In his welcome address, Environment and Ecology Wing, Senior Scientific Officer M Homeshwar highlighted the change in rainfall pattern and weather conditions in Manipur.

In 1968, rainfall rate in Manipur was 2217.9 mm but this reduced to 1969 mm in 2007 . The average temperature of Manipur in 1969 was 25 degree Celsius and the figure rose to 29.72 degree Celsius in 2008, Homeshwar said . The consultative meeting was attended by academicians, experts, students, NGOs and farmers. GIZ senior advisor Sanjoy Tommer and team leader of the International Resources Group System South Asia Dr Surjit Singh also participated in the workshop.