UNDP to invest in energy sector
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 12 2015 :
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will invest in energy sector in the State with a view to enable the State tackle the impacts of global climate change.
A workshop of stakeholders on the State action plan on climate change was organised today at Hotel Imphal by UNDP, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Directorate of Environment.
Speaking at the workshop, UNDP Assistant Country Director and Advisor, Climate Change Dr Preety Soni said that UNDP would invest in Manipur in the energy sector.
Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Power Commissioner Vineet Joshi and Director, Directorate of Environment Dr M Homeshwar attended the workshop as presidium members.
Preety Soni said that Manipur is among the first States of India which have completed formulation of State action of climate change.
UNDP would take up projects in Manipur and Jharkhand.
The project which would focus on energy sector will be launched at the cost of US $ 3.7 million to be given as grants by GEF.
The tenure of the project is four years.
Extensive jhum cultivation in hill areas which comprise 90 per cent of the total area of Manipur has been exacerbating environmental degradation in the State, said Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga.
He noted that many parts of Manipur have started experiencing water scarcity and the problem would only aggravate in the coming years.
Global climate change has led to outbreak of several diseases which were hitherto unknown to Manipur.
For instance, dengue was never reported in the past but several cases of dengue were reported in the last couple of years from different parts of the State, said Dr M Homeshwar.
Many experts and resource persons spoke at the workshop which was attended by officials and volunteers of Power Department, MANIREDA, PWD, NGOs and media persons.