Question : Impact of Climate Change

(a) whether the Government has made any assessment on the major effects and environmental changes due to climate change in the country during the last decade;
(b) if so, the details and outcome thereof, region-wise;
(c) the measures taken to mitigate the ill-effects of climate change;
(d) whether the Government has any proposal to conduct a study on the impact of climate/environmental changes in different regions of the country, particularly in the Himalayan region and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has identified/selected certain areas at the Gram Panchayat level to study such changes and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) and (b) A scientific study to assess the impact of climate change has been undertaken and a report entitled “Climate Change and India: A 4X4 Assessment - A Sectoral and Regional Analysis for 2030s” was published in 2010 by the Ministry. The study assessed impacts 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 Areas and the North-East Region.
The study projects a mixed picture of implications for climate parameters and related impacts on the relevant sectors. The study projected a variable rate of change in agriculture production including losses in some crops, change in the composition of the forests and Net Primary Productivity and spread of Malaria in new areas.
(c) The Government has launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 to deal with the climate change related issues. NAPCC outlines eight Missions in specific areas of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, habitat, water, sustaining Himalayan Ecosystems, forestry, agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change. Further, States/Union Territories have also prepared State Action Plans on Climate Change consistent with the objectives of NAPCC.
(d) The Ministry has proposed two scientific studies under Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) on impacts of climate change. One of these studies entitled ‘Long Term Ecological Observatories’ (LTEO) aims at creating a network in various bio-geographical locations of the country to understand the biophysical and anthropogenic drivers of ecosystem change and their effects on social- ecological responses. The second study entitled ‘Coordinated Studies on Climate Change for North East Region (CSCCNER)’ aims at undertaking studies to assess the impact of climate change on various sectors like forests, biodiversity, water, etc. in the North Eastern Region of the country. The Ministry has also launched a Central Sector Scheme entitled ‘National Mission on Himalayan Studies’ with an outlay of Rs.100 crores during the current financial year.
Further, as per the information received from the Department of Science and Technology, theyhave supported grants in six Himalayan States, i.e., Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram in the last financial year for strengthening the respective State climate change cells/centres under National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE). Also two State climate change cells/centres are strengthened in Madhya Pradesh and Punjab under National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC).
(e) No,Sir.
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