UP ready with draft plan on climate change

In the action plan,GTZ has recommended anticipatory planting of species across latitudinal and longitudinal gradient,promotion of natural regeneration and mixed species forestry,prevention of fire in forests,prevention of fragmentation of forests and linking of protected areas,sustainable harvesting of timber and non-timber product,protected areas management and reduced forest fragmentation by conserving contiguous forest patches.

For enhancement of observational infrastructure under the State Water Mission,GTZ has recommended that an “early warning system” be provided in rivers originating from Uttarakhand and Nepal and infrastructure for monitoring water flow in rivers as well as weather parameters be strengthened.

GTZ has recommended that the state government obtain approval on Ground Water Control and Management Bill and develop ponds to store rain/flood water in river basins to maintain minimum water flow in rivers. It recommended constitution of a Lake Development Authority and State Level Aquifer Management Authority. Under the Mission on Sustainable Agriculture,recommendation has made for effective extension of direct sowing systems and promotion of “climate change and suitable agro-based systems” through agro-science centres.

Under the State Solar Mission and State Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency,UP will work on action points including revision of Environment Impact Assessment standards,making it more stringent for new thermal power plants,strict enforcement of energy audit and examination and certification by Bureau of Energy Audit.