State issues highlighted at UN Climate meet
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2017:
Impacts of climate change witnessed in the State were highlighted at the 23 rd UN Climate Change Conference/Parties of Conference (COP 23) which began at Bonn, Germany since November 6.State Climate Change Cell Principal Investigator and Directorate of Environment, Deputy Director Dr T Brajakumar highlighted the impacts of climate change in Manipur at the Indian pavilion yesterday.
Based on reports filed by climate scientists about Himalayan States, Dr Brajakumar pointed out that floods witnessed in Manipur this year even before the onset of normal rainy season could be attributed to climate change.
Apart from floods and landslides, he also highlighted the issue of water scarcity during dry season and receding underground water reserves.
Since a few years back, Manipur has been witnessing extreme weather conditions like unpredictable or sporadic heavy downpour and increased rate of evaporation.
Even though Manipur received 1435 mm of rainfall during the past five decades (1961-2010), the State encountered water scarcity and drought-like situations on many occasions, Dr Brajakumar said at the conference.
Even though the State's total forest area is 76.11 per cent of the State's territory, the pace of climate change has been accelerating on account of several developmental and modernisation projects.
He also talked about several projects
taken up in the State in collaboration with multi-National and National agencies and different departments.
He particularly mentioned about wetland conservation, water harvesting, climate resilient agricultural practices, rejuvenation of rivers, energy effi ciency and renewable energy.