Maharashtra nod for climate change policy

To mitigate the impact of climate change on Maharashtra, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved a climate change adaption policy for the creation of environment-friendly cities and villages. It also approved the setup of a special cell in the state environment department to monitor the implementation of this policy.

It is estimated that increased emissions of greenhouse gases have led to global temperatures rising by 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880. This has affected rainfall patterns and weather, human health, biodiversity, wildlife, agriculture, and livelihood.

The policy suggests an overhaul of the disaster management systems and creation of special plans for vulnerable districts, re-use of sewage water, plans for solid waste and drainage water management and strict vehicle emission standards. This will also cover allowing constructions only beyond the flood lines on river banks.

This will see efforts being taken to ensure that rivers are kept flowing round the year to ensure healthy groundwater levels, encouraging climate resilient crops and horticulture, protecting forests near the source of rivers, protecting traditional crops, promoting the use of solar and wind energy by farmers.

The policy will also focus on the creation of climate proof villages, participatory water conservation in villages, adoption of rivers and mountains and protection of corals and mangroves.

The Centre had called on the state government to formulate their own action plans on lines of that prepared by it to tackle climate change. The state has collaborated with TERI to prepare a scientific plan to mitigate the effects of climate change by 2030, 2050 and 2070. This makes recommendations to tackle the impact of these developments on farming, food security, livelihoods, water bodies, forests, health, marine life and environment, and infrastructure.

The report noted that while the average temperature in Maharashtra would rise, the increase in minimum temperatures would be more than that in maximum temperatures, which would lead to a rise in the mercury and rainfall. It observed that Nandurbar district would be most vulnerable to climate change followed by Dhule, Buldhana, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Nashik, Jalna, Gondia, Washim and Gadchiroli.

This report has made recommendations regarding forests, water resources, disaster management, agriculture, health, energy and rural and urban development.

THE PLAN

• The policy includes re-use of sewage water, solid waste and drainage water management and strict vehicle emission standards. Constructions will be allowed only beyond the flood lines on river banks.