Itanagar: In its bid to fight the fast acceleration of climate change, the state government has come up with the ‘Climate Change Management Mission-2047’, a roadmap for the state to contribute in the global efforts to minimize and mitigate the crisis.
Prepared and presented by the state environment and forests department, the mission has put up water conservation, habitats, agriculture and forest sector, disaster management, energy and transport, waste management and health sector goals to be achieved in the next two decades.
The goals envision attaining climate regulation, increased carbon sinks and reduced CO2 emissions, increased green cover, ecosystem restoration, germplasm conservation, improved livelihood and opportunities, health sector, water security and better exposure of climate change to local communities besides eco-tourism revenue generation.
Announcing the mission during the 7th e-Pragati meeting here virtually on Tuesday, chief minister Pema Khandu opined that Arunachal, being a part of the Himalayas and one of the largest forest cover in the country, has a big role to play in dealing with climate change and global warming.
“Human activities have increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, driving up temperatures. Extreme weather and melting glaciers are being witnessed which are a threat to all forms of life on earth. We cannot sit idle on it,” Khandu said.
As per records, the state witnessed an increased annual mean temperature of 0.05 degree per year and 0.59 degree celsius in the last 40 years. Further during the period from 1980 to 2019, a significant decreasing trend in southwest monsoon rainfall and also in annual rainfall has been observed along with increase in number of dry spells and decrease in rainy days.
The chief minister informed that the next cabinet meeting, scheduled for Thursday, will exclusively discuss climate change and directed the department to submit the detailed Climate Change Management Mission- 2047 document for the same.
Other issues and projects reviewed during the meeting included release of funds by the Centre, expenditure and status of utilization certificates for centrally sponsored schemes, Prime Minister’s Awas Yojna (PMAY), RURBAN scheme, pending hydro projects, land acquisition for Hollongi Greenfield Airport and advance landing grounds, installation of 4G telecommunication towers, development of Parashuram Kund, Miao-Vijaynagar road, etc.
The meeting also decided to observe the 75-week long ‘Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ for which a draft action plan was discussed.
The celebration, a concept of the Union ministry of culture, will be divided into five key themes. These are freedom struggle, achievements @75, resolve @75, ideas @75 and action @75.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Agriculture Minister Tage Taki along with the Chief Secretary and Commissioner Finance attended the meeting with the chief minister from the CMO, while Home Minister Bamang Felix and RWD Minister Honchun Ngandam along with commissioners, secretaries and deputy commissioners joined the meeting virtually from their respective offices. CMMC
