Eighth National Steering Committee on Climate Change Approves Projects from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh

Dhirendra Kumar
News Curator cum Moderator
Indian Botanists

 

Shri Ashok Lavasa, Secretary, MoEF & CC

The eighth National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) approved four projects from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab and also considered one project submitted by Government of Madhya Pradesh, at a meeting held here today. The agenda of the meeting was to consider the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of Kerala for funding under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) and demonstration projects submitted by Government of Madhya Pradesh, Government of Punjab and Government of Tamil Nadu under Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP).

Management and Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats and Biodiversity for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihood in Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu

The total cost of the project will be Rs. 24.74 crore and will cover 23 coastal villages of Tuticorin district. The 4-year project has five broad objectives: conduct baseline vulnerability studies, coral rehabilitation, sea grass rehabilitation, deployment of 6,000 Artificial Reef (AR) modules, and eco-development activities in the project villages. The project will help in developing the much needed “Comprehensive Plan or Scheme for Coral and Sea Grass Restoration”. 

It will augment the database on coral ecosystem, species diversity, fish catch/effort, anthropogenic pressure, and migration & survival rate. The project activities will lead to economic empowerment of 15 SHGs per village and benefit about 6,900 women. The project will create a platform for knowledge development through regular meeting amongst departments like fisheries, forest, TNSCCC, GOMBRT, IIT, Chennai, Anna University and facilitate planning of roadmap for future conservation efforts. It is estimated that the cumulative potential for revenue generation per annum is about Rs. 1.84 crore for fisherman community and Rs. 1.03 crore for the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs). The Department of Environment and State Steering Committee of Tamil Nadu will be responsible for facilitating overall project implementation.

Promotion of Integrated Farming System of Kaipad and Pokkali in Coastal Wetlands of Kerala 

The total cost of the project Rs. 33.73 crore envisions integrated farming methods, as climate smart practices to enhance resilience of aquaculture communities to climate change especially sea-level rise that results in severe intrusion of salinity. 

The proposed area for the 4-year project is 600 hectares (300 hectares in Kannur District and 300 hectares in Ernakulam, Thrissur and Alappuzha districts) has as its broad objectives - providing the main infrastructure facility of strong outer ‘bunds’ with sufficient height; use of tall varieties of salt tolerant paddy; integrating fishery to enhance paddy cultivation and maximize the inland fish production through sustainable aquaculture. The Agency for Development of Aquaculture (ADAK), Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, will be the Executing Entity for the project. The project will help simultaneous cultivation of rice and shrimp / fish in low-lying wetlands where there were no cultivation earlier. It will also improve the quality of life for local farmers through higher disposable incomes. It will improve access to fresh water, as peripheral ‘bunds’ will prevent seepage of sea water to fresh water sources, capacity building of farmers and will reduce displacement of labourers from nearby areas and provide employment to women. It will also check carbon emission, as wetlands have good potential to act as carbon sink. It is estimated that the cumulative potential for total annual revenue is about Rs. 23.25 crore under this project.

Under Climate Change Action Programme, the Committee considered three projects on

Building Resilience through Integrated Farming Systems for Enhancing Livelihood Security” submitted by Government of Madhya Pradesh, 

Technological adaptation for gainful utilisation of paddy straw (presently burnt on-site) as fuel to replace fossil fuels” submitted by Government of Punjab 

Coastal habitat rehabilitation for climate change adaptation in Gulf of Mannar, South-Eastern India: Improving ecosystem services and Fisherman livelihood” by Government of Tamil Nadu. 

The committee approved the projects from Government of Punjab and Government of Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.54 crore and Rs. 67 lakh respectively. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Shri Ashok Lavasa, Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Government has established the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC) with a budget provision of Rs.350 crores for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17, with an estimated requirement of Rs.181.5 crores for financial year 2017-18. The objective of the fund is to assist State and Union Territories that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in meeting the cost of adaptation. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been appointed as National Implementing Entity (NIE) responsible for implementation of adaptation projects under the (NAFCC).

Source: Press Release, Press Information Bureau, India

PM plants "Kadamb" sapling on World Environment Day

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today planted a Kadamb sapling (Neolamarckia Cadamba), at the Race Course Road lawns, to mark the occasion of World Environment Day.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister exhorted each family to plant trees in the coming monsoon season, and to take pride in the number of trees planted by the family, just the same way as they take pride in worldly possessions. The Prime Minister said that living in harmony with nature is the only way to avoid a catastrophic situation on Mother Earth.

The Prime Minister also placed a traditional earthen-pot (matka) along with the sapling, which is a traditional way of conserving water, and ensuring that the sapling has regular water supply.

Planting the Kadamb sapling, the Prime Minister recalled the poem of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, on the subject:

Prime Minister to Start Tree Plantation Drive on World Environment Day; Plantation Programmes Across India. What about you?

Dhirendra Kumar

News Curator cum Moderator

Indian Botanists

New Delhi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will start a tree plantation campaign by planting a sapling at his official residence, 7 RCR on June 5, to mark the World Environment Day. Addressing the media here today ahead of the World Environment Day, Minister of State of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the captain of the Indian Cricket team, Virat Kohli and international wrestler, Sushil Kumar will participate in a function to plant saplings at Paryavaran Bhawan. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is celebrating the World Environment Day on June 5, 2015 by planting saplings across the country. 

A Report on Conference of State Environment and Forest Ministers

Dhirendra Kumar

News Curator and Moderator

Indian Botanists

A two days conference of State Environment and Forest Ministers was held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 6-7th April 2015. Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference and said, India, which has had a long tradition of living in harmony with nature, should lead the global fight against climate change.

The Conference was attended by 34 State Ministers of Environment and Forest, as well as 340 senior State government officials from Environment and Forest and Urban Development. Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Shri Nripendra Mishra and Cabinet Secretary, Shri Ajit Seth were among those present on the occasion.