The Central Government will soon establish an ‘Earth Observatory’ in Chhattisgarh to gather seismological data in the region. The observatories are coming up in 14 States, officials informed. The National Centre of Seismology (NCS) is installing the observatories in different States.
The national seismological network consisting of 82 observatories has been functioning smoothly and a total of 245 earthquake events occurred in and around India (latitude 0-40° N, longitude 60-100° E) were detected and auto-located during the period November 2015 October, 2016. These include 40 events of magnitude 5 and above.
Information pertaining to significant events was transmitted to all concerned state and Central Government agencies, dealing with relief and rescue operations in the region and also posted on the associated website, the annual report 2016-17 of Ministry of Earth Sciences informed.
Currently the second phase of upgradation is on which envisages installation of 32 new stations and upgradation of 6 existing stations. It is expected that by the end of the year 2017, a total of 116 stations will be part of the national network.
Considering that Chhattisgarh State Action Plan on Climate Change (CSAPCC) broadly covers implementation plans over a five-year period and implementation of an external third-party evaluation during mid-2014 to critically examine implementation and recommend course corrections, another similar external evaluation will be carried out during end - 2017, states its earlier report drafted in 2013.
The state is committed to ensuring that CSAPCC implementation is complemented by a robust framework and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation not only as a means of ensuring that the detailed operational plans that will be developed under the CSAPCC are implemented as planned, but more importantly, as a tool for systematic review and programme improvement as the needs of the State evolve with implementation. It is tentatively expected that reporting will take place on a quarterly basis at all levels, internal reviews of implementation progress and performance on a half-yearly basis, the report informed.
A detailed and robust monitoring framework will be developed including specific methodologies, protocols, and templates for monitoring and reporting as part of the process of developing detailed work plans under the CSAPCC.
The State Health Department is committed to the health and well being of all citizens and visitors to the State, and as such, the Department will stake the necessary steps to gear up for the potential health impacts from climate change, while continuing to contribute to the achievement of the State’s health targets as well as the national health targets plan for 2012 – 17, it informed.
As the highest priority agenda, a Climate Change Cell will be constituted in the Health Department, as well as district level sub-cells, and these will be mandated the task of coordinating all climate related activities of the Department under the CSAPCC as well as liaising with the State institutional and coordination mechanisms outlined in an earlier section of the report.
The Department will undertake collation and review of all available material and evidence related to climate change impacts on human health, and also undertake a review of health policies, plans, and institutional frameworks in the State with a view to incorporating climate concerns. In line with the overarching principle of improving scientific knowledge, evidence base and understanding of climate change and its impacts on human health, the Health Department will begin building a strong evidence base including collecting, compiling, and analysing relevant data and information in terms of perceptions of affected people and communities, the report informed.
Based on the results of the comprehensive vulnerability analyses to be undertaken by the State, will review the adequateness of its current plans and institutional frameworks to respond to climate concerns in the health sector at all levels. Plans at all levels including the District health Plans will be suitably amended.
As is the case with many other states,Chhattisgarh too faces a range of issues related to its water resources and their management. Rapid growth of population and industries, over-abstraction of water resources, unplanned urban development, and pollution are some of such issues, it stated.
There are number of challenges related to the development of new infrastructure, maintenance and operation of existing infrastructure and increasing threats to the resource base from pollution, and unplanned development that exacerbate existing climatic risks such as droughts and floods. Water logging, salinization, and increased levels of toxic elements in the water are serious concerns. It has also been noted that significant water resources, especially groundwater is being drawn by industries, and that groundwater tables in the state have been declining.
Physical sustainability of groundwater resources will be accorded high importance, and intensive programmes for ground water recharge in over-exploited areas will be taken up. The State will also take other necessary steps for increasing water use efficiency, including incentivising water harvesting and encouraging non-agricultural type developments of the type where not much water is required, incentivising or encouraging leakage control programmes, developing regulations/frameworks for in-house water withdrawals of industries, through royalties and licenses, extending subsidies and incentives for recycling and recovery, revision of water tariff based on cost recovery principle, promotion of water efficient fixtures, incentivisation for recycling waste water, etc. Options for taking up/enhancing water conservation measures under the NREGA will also be examined.
The State will take up steps for addressing the quality aspects of drinking water especially in rural areas, while also seeking to improve water efficiencies in urban water supply systems through promotion of water efficient techniques, technologies, and management, including effective and timely operation and maintenance of water resources projects and infrastructure assets across all water sub-sectors in the State.
All necessary efforts to adhere to national standards for water quality in water bodies and rivers will be undertaken. Steps will also be taken to foster integrated water resources development and management planning, and seeking convergence among the various water resources programmes and organisations such as integrated watershed management programme, Agriculture Department, Forest Department, Industries Department, Urban Development Department, etc, the report informed.