Question : Impact of Climate Change in NER

(a) whether the Government has recognised any threat to the North Eastern Region due to global climate change and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps initiated by the Government to address this issue;
(c) whether the Government has received any representation or evidence that the North Eastern Region is more susceptible to adverse effects of climate change and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps being taken to protect the lives of people and animals in the region in this regard?

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of
Development of North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) to (d) A study has been conducted by the Indian Network of Climate Change Assessment (INCCA) to assess the impact of climate change on four key sectors of Indian economy, namely agriculture, water, natural ecosystems & biodiversity and health in four climate sensitive regions of India, namely the Himalayan region, the Western Ghats, the Coastal Area and the North-East Region (NER). Based on this, a report titled “Climate Change and India: A 4X4 Assessment - A Sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030s” was published in 2010. The study projects an overall warming, increase in precipitation with variable water yield, change in the composition of the forests, spread of Malaria in new areas and threats of its transmission for longer duration, which are likely to cause adverse impact on the lives of human beings.
The report projects rise in temperature in the North Eastern Region (NER) in the range of 1.8o C to 2.1o C and increase in the mean annual rainfall in the order of 0.3% to 3% in 2030s, with respect to the 1970s. Projected increase of night-time temperature may lead to decrease in the production of rice and may affect the nutritional health of the population. Soil erosion due to increase in intensity of precipitation events may lead to an increase in occurrence of landslides, affecting agriculture activities, including tea plantations. The report also projects that the window of transmission of malaria may remain open for at least for 7 to 9 months in a year.
Climate Change related activities are addressed through various schemes of Government of India by integrating these concerns into programme implementation. The Government has formulated the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June 2008 to deal with the climate change related issues. NAPCC comprises eight Missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan Ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change.
Thirty two States/Union Territories including all States from North Eastern Region have prepared State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) consistent with objectives of NAPCC and incorporating State specific vulnerabilities, adaptation needs and other priorities. SAPCC will be implemented by the States through State plans, Central Schemes and other sources of funding.
A thematic scheme on “Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP)” with an outlay of Rs. 290 Crores was launched during the 12th Five Year Plan to address the issues related to climate change. Coordinated studies on climate change in the North Eastern Region is one of the components under CCAP to undertake studies on impacts of climate change on forests, biodiversity, water, agriculture and human settlement with a view to develop adaptation and mitigation benefits in the region.