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ShareJaipur: Over 300 persons from 12 rainfed states in the country converged here today to discuss the impact of climatic change in their respective regions and lives at the 'public hearing on climate change'.
The hearing organised by several NGOs with Oxfam India was conducted by a jury of citizens comprising justice VS Dave, justice Panachand Jain, NREGA commissioner of the state Rajendra Bhanawat and others.
During the hearing, farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar said that in the last five years, the number of rainy days came down significantly and disturbed the entire agricultural cycle in the region.
Tribals and pastorals from Jharkhand and Gujarat said that due to decrease in forest cover following climate change, their livelihood opportunities and income from forest produce has reduced, compelling them to migrate nearby urban areas.
Later, the jury in its verdict said that climate change was of serious concern having potential to destabilise the economics and lives people in these states.
"Rainfed regions of the country should aim at collective long term programme and ameliorative measures, and international negotiations must be informed of the disastrousimpact on agriculture, food and water security, forest and environment, livestock and health," the jury said.
The objective of these hearing was to bring forward evidence in form of testimonies of people to influence the policy makers on the urgency of taking action on the issue.
Aditi Kapoor, specialist with Oxfam India said that the final report to be submitted at Copenhagen would highlight the perspective of the developing nations, which would help them keep the link between climate change and poverty.
