Development of the North Eastern Region Minister of India on Thursday addressed the Loksabha and said that two degree Celsius temperature has risen in Northeast regions of India. This change in temperature is severely affecting the environment and also disrupting the lifestyle of people living in this region. The study was conducted by INCCA in 2010 to evaluate the impact of climate change on four key sectors of Indian agriculture, water, natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

In addition to this, the impact of climate change is observed more in four regions in India like the Himalayan region, the Western Ghats, the coastal area and the northeastern region.

“The report projects rise in temperature in the northeastern region (NER) in the range of 1.8 to 2.1 degrees Celsius and increase in the mean annual rainfall in the order of 0.3 percent to 3 percent in the 2030s, with respect to the 1970s,” said DoNER Minister. “Projected increase of night-time temperature may lead to the decrease in the production of rice and may affect the nutritional health of the population,” he said.

Soil erosion is due to increase in the intensity of precipitation events and man-made activities might lead to increase in agriculture activities, an occurrence of landslides including tea plantations. According to the Minister, climate change-related activities are addressed through various schemes of the Indian government by integrating these concerns into program implementation.

“The government has formulated the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June 2008 to deal with the climate change-related issues. All states and union territories, have prepared State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) consistent with objectives of NAPCC and incorporating state specific vulnerabilities, adaptation needs and other priorities,” said Minister.

“SAPCC will be implemented by the states through state plans, central schemes and other sources of funding. A thematic scheme on Climate Change Action Program (CCAP) with an outlay of Rs.290 crore was launched during the 12th Five Year Plan to address the issues related to climate change,” he said.