Global climatic change is a challenge that needs to be tackled effectively while at the same time maintaining balance between environmental conservation and developmental works. The State Forest and Wildlife minister Dinesh Aggarwal said this after inaugurating a workshop on climate change organised jointly by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change along with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SADC) at a local hotel here in Dehradun on Monday.
Aggarwal expressed concern at the acceleration reported in the rate of glaciers receding in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and stressed on the need for effective measures involving coordinated efforts by various departments and bodies concerned along with public participation.
Speaking at the workshop, the Uttarakhand chief secretary Shatrughna Singh said that the State Government is in favour of consistent development which should also be environment-friendly. The State has prepared an Uttarakhand action plan on climate change in order to address the repercussions of climate change.
This action plan has prepared in accordance of the principles and guidelines stipulated in the national action plan for climate change. Singh said that developmental work plans in the State are being prepared as per these guidelines to ensure balance between environment and development. The present policies and programmes of the State Government have been integrated with climate change factors.
There is need for strengthening scientific knowledge related to climate change in departmental works being undertaken according to the institutional capability and resources available to the State, added the chief secretary. The principal chief conservator of forests and other departmental officials and subject experts were also among those who expressed their views on the occasion.