Chhattisgarh will use traditional knowledge of tribals to tackle climate change and to formulate strategy in collaboration with the tribal community and environmental experts.
This was decided at a two-day ‘Chhattisgarh Climate Change Conclave 2024’, in which the government focused on expertise and exchange of knowledge from primitive tribes.
As 44 percent geographical area of Chhattisgarh is covered by rich and dense forest and these primitive tribes are close to nature, utilizing their traditional knowledge along with that of experts and public representatives will assist in moving in the right direction in terms of environment conservation, it was stressed.
Chhattisgarh has also launched a climate change dashboard platform to provide a centralized system for collecting, analyzing and visualizing climate-related data.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, speaking on the concluding day, said the conclave would serve as a significant platform for sharing crucial information and experiences regarding the global challenges and adverse impacts of climate change.
He underlined the importance of collective efforts to combat climate change for the well-being of future generations.
British Deputy High Commissioner Dr Andrew Fleming, who attended the conclave, highlighted various aspects of climate change and appreciated the government’s efforts to address climate change through comprehensive action plans and leveraging the knowledge from its tribal inhabitants.
Experts from the country and abroad attended the workshop where an action plan prepared by the government was presented in which the data of 100 years was assessed.
The assessment indicated that the state is witnessing a decline in annual rainfall over the period 1972-2017. The most significant decline was seen in Surguja, Balrampur, Janjgir-Champa, Surajpur, Raigarh, Korea, Raipur and Mahasamund districts.
The temperature time series during 1951-2017 shows a moderate increasing trend for summer maximum temperatures in Chhattisgarh, with a moderate increasing trend for winter minimums.
The 'Chhattisgarh State Action Plan on Climate Change' and a book on traditional health practices titled 'Ancient Wisdom' at Bastar were unveiled at the conclave.