Sessions at COP 22 Discuss Climate Change Adaptability
The
India Pavilion on Thursday witnessed two major side events on Climate
Change Adaptability, organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) and The
Ministry of Agriculture.
The opening session, “Climate Change Adaptation - Preserving
Water Resources” was moderated by Advisor, Ministry of Water Resources,
RD & GR Dr.M.Satyanarayana,. He introduced the topic and briefly
outlined the water resources scenario in India and made a presentation
on the National Water Mission. He highlighted the initiatives taken by
National Water Mission, established by the Government of India under the
National Action Plan on Climate Change formulated by the Prime
Minister’s Council on Climate Change for adaptation and mitigation of
impact of climate change on water resources in particular and elaborated
on various goals of the NWM and emphasized the achievements of the
Mission in the sphere of integrated water resource management and
development.
Member (Finance), Central Ground Water Board and Mission
Director, NWM Dr.Ariz Ahammed Mahammed, explained various traditional
forms of water conservation as a strategy for climate change adaptation
and gave details of Aquifer Mapping of Ground Water Resources. Later,
Joint Secretary (Policy and Planning), MoWR, RD & GR, Mr. Sanjay
Kundu, highlighted various initiatives taken under the National Mission
for Clean Ganga for maintaining ecological flows, ensuring water
quality, infrastructure development such as establishment of effluent
treatment plants and sewage treatment plants etc. He further elaborated
on the role of people’s participation in Namami Gange programme and
informed that the MoWR, RD & GR is working in partnership with
various central ministries, state governments and national and
international organizations in this gigantic task.
Scientist, National Institute of Hydrology informed that the
Indian National Committee on Climate Change Dr.Sharad Jain, has
initiated a number of studies for assessing the impact of climate change
on water sector by downscaling the global circulation models to region
models basin-wise.
The second session for the day, hosted by Ministry of
Agriculture, was held under the chairmanship of Dr. V. Usha Rani,
Director General, MANAGE, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,
Government of India. She shared that through various policy initiatives
and efforts around afforestation, food security, waste reduction,
employment for agriculture labours, sustainable agriculture; the
Government is trying to keep pace with the time and mitigate severe
impacts of climate changes in agriculture.
Representing Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Dr.
Rath, provided a detailed presentation on various policies and schemes
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, on integrated
farming systems, agro-forestry, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
and integration of various departmental activities like irrigation,
agriculture, rural development is ensured.
Dr. VP Sharma of MANAGE made the presentation of District Level
Contingency Plans to deal with changing climatic scenarios. While, Mr.
Navin from GIZ presented about innovative approaches on knowledge and
advisories management to help farmers adapt to climate changes using
simple ICT tools. Dr.Kirit N.Shelat and V.V. Sadamate made a
presentation on success story from Gujarat on taking agriculture
knowledge to farmers involving various stakeholders and taking
innovative extension methods to reach out large number of farmers.
Festive like approaches (farmer fairs) were effectively organized. This
resulted in attaining almost 10% growth rate in agriculture in Gujarat.
While concluding, the chairperson mentioned that culture plays a
key role in agriculture in India and to deal with climate changes. She
reiterated that the way forward is to establish networks and
collaborations among passionate people who are concerned and working
relentlessly for safeguarding farmers from climate change and ensuring
food to all global citizens.
The presentations were followed by discussion and participants
actively participated. The session was well attended and it presented
various initiatives of the two Ministries to the international
community, which were well-appreciated.
***
HK
(Release ID :153545)
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