Itanagar: In the first-ever Cabinet meeting held outside the capital city in Pakke Tiger Reserve in Pakke Kessang district, the Council of Ministers, Government of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday adopted the “Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh” to accelerate comprehensive, smart, climate resilient and inclusive development of the people and State with all-round efforts, official sources said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “It is indeed a matter of immense privilege for my government and me to have initiated and piloted this ‘landmark’ movement for the benefit of future generations and in recognition of the potential contribution Arunachal Pradesh can make towards the fulfillment of the targets and goals within the National Contribution of India in pursuance of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, considering the forest and natural resources wealth we have.”
He stated that with today’s resolve a responsible commitment at the subnational level has been shown to address key environmental concerns affecting development and wellbeing for the future children and youth of the State and country.
Khandu assured that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh would do its best to protect the people from challenges posed by the ongoing climate change and its impacts on biodiversity through addressing both the risks to the economy and the ecosystem.
He said, the “Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh” is a historic and significant milestone in the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” – 75th year of India’s Independence celebrations in the State.
The Declaration envisages a multi-sectoral whole of government and whole of society approach on the pathway towards low emissions and climate-resilient development through its five broad themes (Panch Dharas) resting on 75 strategies. These themes are:-i) Environment, Forest & Climate Change, ii) Health & Well-being of All, iii) Sustainable & Adaptive Living, iv) Livelihoods & Opportunities and v) Evidence Generation & Collaborative Action.
The ‘Panch Dharas’ strive to support and realize a Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh with its strategic domains resting on climate resilient forestry, climate resilient agriculture and horticulture, climate resilient animal husbandry and fishery, climate resilient water resource management, human health and climate change, sustainable habitats, renewable energy, sustainable transport system and disaster management preparedness.
The action plans would be implemented with sector-wise resource allocation within respective budgetary envelopes for coordinated, systemic, sustained, and ambitious engagements in the State to urgently tackle and mitigate climate change impacts in the State and realize climate resilient and responsive landscapes in tune with the national policies on climate change response.
This declaration, first of its kind by any State Government in the country and is among the select
club of subnational level actions for climate change across the globe as well, also seeks to synergize the efforts of the State Government to realize Sustainable Development Goals in the larger context of climate change, the official sources said.
The focus on Research & Development to develop capacities and enhance technical know-how on climate resilience mitigation and responsive strategies through collaboration with academia and think tanks with a priority area being documentation of Traditional Knowledge Systems of Indigenous Communities to preserve and propagate adaptive climate resilient methods and locally sustainable practices were highlighted by the Chief Minister, sources added.
