Maharashtra government gets ready to cope with climate change

The policy was prepared after studying climatic changes and its adverse impact in the state owing to global warming.

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday cleared an adaptation policy to help the state cope with changing climatic conditions and its adverse impact.

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Prepared by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the policy suggested strict norms to reduce pollution through vehicles in cities, conservation of mangroves, plantation of trees on both the sides of the roads and constructing shelters at specific distances (in case of natural calamities), a policy for treatment of sewage water to reduce demand of drinking water, revival of lakes and reservoirs and proper planning to reduce the carbon footprint in new cities.

It further suggested creating a system to inform people in advance about any prediction of a heavy downpour in cities, long- and short-term plans to deal with constant changes in weather conditions, repairing of khar (tidal) land canals and encourage fishing at such places.

Agro-climate services need to be provided to farmers so that they are aware of changes in weather conditions and pest attacks on crops. Farmers should also be informed about the changing crop pattern and formation of climate-proof villages by adoption of lakes, the policy stated.

It also advocates improving health services at a district level and taking up public awareness programmes on health issues.

The policy was prepared after studying climatic changes and its adverse impact in the state owing to global warming. TERI has also predicted possible changes in climate by 2030, 2050 and 2070 and asked the state to prepare an action plan to deal with these climatic changes in the state.

The state government has also formed a cell headed by the chief secretary, which will help in coordination among various departments and effective implementation of the policy, Gavai said.