Where has gone state policy to combat climate change?
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Annie Thounaojam

Imphal, May 07 2014: With an unprecedented water crisis looming large in the State, it is quite evident that the global phenomenon of climate change has begun to affect the State as well.

The State, once known for its favourable climate, is now reeling under extreme heat and cold during the summer and winter season respectively.

Moreover, the monsoon has become quite erratic over the last few years resulting either in floods or droughts across the State.

Environmentalists are of the view that rapid clearance of forests has greatly affected the climatic condition of the State.

This climate change would have more serious impact on different aspects of the State in the years to come.

According to reports from the Directorate of Environment, Government of Manipur, the projected increase in average temperature in the State by mid 2030's would be 1.7 degree Celsius, besides increase in precipitation (rainfall) in the entire State.

The climate change has also impacted agriculture and its allied sector in the State.

Changes in rice yield can be attributed to the increase in temperature and CO2 concentration coupled with the change in rainfall pattern for the region.

Climate change could have positive as well as negative impacts on the rice yield in the State.

Changing of climate and its impact may link to health directly and indirectly in many ways by propagation of many diseases like increase in the number of vector-borne and water-borne diseases, deterioration in nutritional health due to loss of food security and reducing cereal yields.

The climate change can further impact population which has a lower capacity to combat the impacts and their access to medical facilities.

Moreover, with projected increase in surface temperature, increase in frequency and intensity of extreme events, human health impacts are likely to escalate with respect to their virulence and spread to hitherto disease-free areas, the reports said.

The impacts of climate change on water resources have been highlighted in the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report on Climate Change indicating an intensification of the global hydrological cycle affecting both the ground water and surface water supply.

The effects of climate change on water resources in India include reduced flows in Himalayan river systems, extreme floods, reduced river yields and reduced resilience.

Further, the climate vulnerability profile for North Eastern Region of India has been developed by an assessment of the impact of projected climate change made by the INCC under the sponsorship of MoEF, Government of India on forest ecosystems.

In Manipur, no change in the forest types is projected for the short term period of 2030s.However, the forests in the State could be vulnerable to forest fragmentation, forest degradation and forest conversion.

The State is agrarian economy with major section of population depending on agriculture as the source of livelihood.

So, the impact of climate change over agricultural productivity might impose more burdens over the sector.

The State is also home to more than 33 tribal groups who have a bio-mass and natural resource intensive lifestyle and are more vulnerable to climate change, the reports added.

After analyzing all these possible impacts of climate change, the question that remains uppermost in the mind of the people today is whether or not Manipur is ready to face them.

There has been no sign of any mitigation measures being taken up by the State Government.

Some time earlier, there were talks about about formulation of a State policy to combat climate change and holding of consultation with various stakeholders.

But the policy is not to be heard anymore today.

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