Workshop ends with slew of recommendations
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2016: Two day regional workshop for North Eastern region of India on climate adaptation programme and sustainable eco-system which came to an end on Tuesday here, has recommended a number of remedies to be taken as part of leading a sustainable livelihood in these Himalayan States including the NE States.

The workshop which was participated by a number of experts from diverse fields including Government officials from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and host Manipur also recommended for a base line data documentation of bio-diversity, introduction of multiple cropping of paddy fields of Manipur valley, climate smart agriculture, giving wetland due importance in climate change programmes, designing adaptation mechanism, more practical approaches and initiatives to reduce carbon foot print etc.

Workshop ends with slew of recommendations

It also recommended a holistic approach for information, occupational rehabilitation of people general standardization of the data base model put up from this State after discussions and complementation, area based training modules- need for climate module which is dependable scientifically with outsourcing to IITs or elsewhere, need for active interaction reports to public- more intensive problem identification, means to reach the reports and community based networking etc.

The workshop organised by State Environment Department in association with Ministry of Science and Technology, was also attended by Manipur's new Forest and Environment Minister Irengbam Hemochandra, Additional secretary (Forest & environment) Shambhu Singh, Deputy Director Shirish Sinha of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Dr Nisha Mendiratta, climate change programme, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and State Environment Department Director Dr M Homeshwor Singh and a good number of media persons from both hills and valley besides other community leaders also attended the workshop.

The two day long workshops focused on common understanding about the challenges faced by the NER and bring forth a road map for participation in policy action programmes on climate adaptation aligning with National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC) .

In the 7th session of the two day workshop today, team leader of Indian Himalayas Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) Dr Mustafa Ali Khan presented papers on 'farming of training modules for Govt middle level officers/ Nodal officers' .

Following the series of sessions, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest and Environment) Govt of Manipur Sambhu Singh forwarded the road map and made the concluding remarks which includes sensitization, motivation and capacity building of the State Govt line departments, Nodal Officers for Climate Change and executers.

Further he put forwarded the concept to bring an understanding and networking among the local institutions, executer and the experts from thematic task forces.

Other recommendations include enhancing the understanding of the stakeholders on the synergies between other Himalayan States adaptation action priorities and NMSHE.

Issues related to integrated assessments, adaptation actions in the Himalayan States with special focus to NER and prioritization of actionable activities and its implementation strategies were also recommended at the conclusion of the workshop.