First meeting held on implementation of Climate Change Adaptation programme

GANGTOK, 25 Apr [IPR]: The first Steering Committee Meeting for Implementation of the programme “Adaptation to Climate Change in North Eastern Region: Sikkim” in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)”  was held at the Conference Hall, Mannan Kendra, Gangtok on 24 April 2014.
The Steering Committee Meeting chaired by Chief Secretary AK Shrivastava was attended by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), AM Singh, Finance Revenue & Expenditure Department (Special invitee) Development Commissioner, Principal Secretary and other members. Project Coordinator GIZ New Delhi, Dr. Indrani Phukan was also present.
The meeting began with the welcome address by Secretary, Department of Science & Technology & Climate Change, SK Shilal. The Department of Science & Technology & Climate Change is the nodal department which coordinates the Climate Change Adaptation-NER (CCA-NER) programme in Sikkim.
The GIZ has signed an MoU with the State Government to support: Preparation and Implementation of State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC); Greening of value chain; Capacity building, knowledge management and networking.
The Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the Steering Committee, in his address informed that the climate change is happening globally and impacting both human kind and the entire biodiversity. Climate changes, having a bearing on agriculture, livestock and is also the cause of new disease patterns. Every sector, whether it is rural or urban, agriculture or horticulture, forestry or wildlife, are getting affected.  Unplanned tourism in addition is also affecting ecology and environment, the Chief Secretary added.
He thanked Ministry of DONER and GIZ for selecting Sikkim for implementation of CCA-NER programme and for providing support in preparation of SAPCC-Sikkim. He also suggested all those involved in the planning programme to give importance to the need of the communities than that of the mankind’s greed.
The Joint Secretary, DONER, AM Singh appreciated that Sikkim is first among few states in the country to have submitted SAPCC and the same has been endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. While addressing the members he further informed that the state of Sikkim has been in the lead in taking advantage of CCA NER programme of GIZ, the other two states being Meghalaya and Nagaland.  He was of the opinion that under CCA-NER, Sikkim should take maximum benefit for which Ministry of DONER shall extend all possible support.
National Coordinator, GIZ CCA-NER programme, Indrani Phukan presented the activities undertaken for the State of Sikkim, namely: Preparation of SAPCC; Village water security plan for Kitam area, Tendong, South Sikkim; Strategies for oak regeneration & management and; Capacity building, trainings provided to state government officials etc. Further it is informed that the CCA NER programme has been extended till 2015 hence suggested taking maximum benefits by the state.
The Principal Secretary, FRED suggested to involve UDHD, Tourism and also the Power Department during the implementation of SAPCC.
The Development Commissioner, N Ethenpa on her remarks on the whole programme appreciated that a good beginning on CCA in the state of Sikkim has started and suggested to involve all the stake holders for integrated programme as climate change is impacting all sectors. During the meeting Secretary, Land Revenue & Disaster Management department suggested taking up joint programme on the impacts of Climate change on natural disasters in Sikkim. Similarly, Secretary Agriculture suggested taking up studies on linking organic farm products with the consumers.
Secretary, Irrigation department, SK Chettri also sought support for maintenance of the irrigation projects so that the irrigated adequate water could be provided at the farmland. Special Secretary, RMDD, Dr. Sandeep Tambe suggested to extend the village water security plan programme in the entire state.
Similarly, Director, AH&VS Department informed that number of vector borne diseases on livestock has been on the rise.  Impact of climate change vis-a-vis the livestock diseases could be studied.
The meeting ended with the vote of thanks proposed by Additional Director, Department of Science and Technology and Climate Change, DG Shrestha.