Lok Sabha Question No. 2926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-16
Subject: Impact of Climate Change in NER
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2926

## TO BE ANSWERED ON

Wednesday, December 16, 2015/Agrahayana 25, 1937 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN NER

2926. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (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?

## ANSWER

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 1.8 o C to 2.1 o 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.

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