- NET Web Desk
In a bid to preserve the ageless green cover and restoring degraded forests, the Arunachal Pradesh Government is striving to play a key role in mitigating the grave impacts of climate change, and significantly contributing to achieve the targets pointed-in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, informed Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
The Paris Agreement – a legally binding international treaty on climate change is considered to be a landmark in the multilateral climate change process.
Adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on December 12, 2015 which came into force on November 4, 2016 aims to limit global warming to below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
He shared the same while addressing the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) during the 10th e-Pragati review meeting on Monday.
Khandu reminded the DCs about the ‘Pakke Declaration’ adopted by the state government.
It focuses on a multi-sectoral approach to low-emission and climate-resilient development based on five broad themes, or Panch Dharas.
These five broad themes include – environment, forest and climate change; health and well-being of all; sustainable and adaptive living; livelihoods and opportunities; and evidence generation and collaborative action.
He further mentioned about 75 strategies including – protecting forest cover, restoring degraded forests, reducing health vulnerability because of climate change and extreme weather events, developing master plans for all urban areas reflective of local climate change-induced risks, adopting efficient irrigation measures, promoting entrepreneurship, among others.
The CM also directed the DCs to work on climate change process in their respective districts.
During the meeting, Khandu also discussed about two significant schemes launched by Centre – Svamitva and SVANidhi, and stressed on the urgent push from state government.
The Svamitva scheme is a landmark step undertaken by the Centre for establishing clear ownership of property along rural areas.
It will be attained through land-mapping parcels by utilizing drone technology and providing ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners.
“We all have to work together to implement these schemes and I have full confidence in our deputy commissioners,” he said.
Meanwhile, other agendas discussed during the meeting include – Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, Mission Shisha, land acquisition matters, National Horticulture Mission and One-District One-Product.
Its worthy to note that the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh remains to be the highest carbon sink state in the country providing clean oxygen, as 82% of its region is surrounded with green cover, thereby playing a crucial role in challenging the grave impacts of global warming.
Arunachal Pradesh – the cold, forested landscape hiding unparalleled diversity with several specialist species, rain forests & ageless green cover, countless valleys, and enormous diversity of flora & fauna is considered to be a hilly tract which is rich in natural resources, especially in mineral reserves. This region is believed to play a major role in fulfilling Prime Minister Modi’s bold pledge of achieving net zero carbon goal by 2070.
