Orissa to announce climate change action plan

Bhubaneswar: In view of the threat posed by climate change and rise in temperature, Orissa has initiated preparations to come out with a climate change action plan.

Stating this at a workshop on State Climate Change Action Plan, State Energy Secretary P K Jena said Orissa was committed to sustainable growth and has made attempt to come out with a climate change action plan.

A high-level Inter-departmental Co-ordinating Committee has been established under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and Secretary, Environment and Forest Acting as the
convener of this group, he said.

There are 11 working groups covering agriculture, Coasts and Disasters, Energy, Fishery, Forestry, Health, Industry, Mining, Transport, Urban and Water.

The deliberation has started in March and a draft climate change action plan has been prepared with the support from The World Bank, sectoral experts from the World Bank,
DFID and from the state.

Leading climate change advisory firm CTRAN has been engaged as the Knowledge Partner. The action plan is expected to be finalized by the first week of June, he said.

The objective of the workshop was to chart out a clear strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation in Orissa.