Environment ministry approves 3 climate resiliency projects in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Sikkim

The projects aim to help communities better adapt to the changing climate and related issues like water stress and uncertainty in agricultural production.

The environment ministry on Wednesday approved three climate change adaptation projects in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Sikkim.

A farmer Kusumben Parmar works near solar panels, which help to pump water to irrigate her fields in the village of Dhundi, some 90km from Ahmedabad. (AFP File Photo)

The three states submitted Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to receive funding from the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC). The fund was set up to provide full funding to projects developed by state governments.

The project approved in Rajasthan aims to bolster water security in villages under the Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan. The investment in Sikkim also aims at improving water access. The Gujarat project will introduce interventions in villages in Kachchh district to make them climate resilient.

The NAFCC was established in 2015 with a budget of R. 350 crores for the first two years and R. 181.5 crores for 2017-2018. In the first two years, 21 projects with a budgeted cost of R. 435. 72 crore were given the go-ahead by the ministry.