On Day Two of the three-day national conference on forestry solutions, a core group of leading forestry and climate change experts gave final shape to the draft policy paper, proposing broader strategies for mitigation and adaptation to impacts of climate change in the western Himalayan states, including Himachal Pradesh.

The draft policy paper is primarily based on the recommendations adopted at 11 technical sessions.

Additional Chief Secretary Avay Shukla, who headed the core group, said the paper would be released on Saturday. Himachal Forest Minister J P Nadda is expected to preside over the final session in the absence of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who is currently on a tour to Israel.

The draft paper says, it is learnt, the forest department wants a separate policy for the mountains as the climate change is likely to impact the western Himalayas with more severity. Locally, on the governance issues, the forest department will demand that it should have a say in the formulation of all new policies relating to other departments, including tourism, hydro-power, irrigation, public works, agriculture and horticulture.

“Every new policy or a project implemented has a direct impact on the forest and also requires diversion of the land. Unless the components of climate change and forestry issues are made part of the policies, mitigation strategies will turn irrelevant,” said experts, who spoke on the role of forests in climate change and mitigation strategies.

Dr Adm J Daigneault, environmental fellow at Deshpande Foundation, Karnataka, spoke extensively on the forestry resources playing a significant role in the context of climate change. Dr J S Samra, Chief Executive Officer, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), spoke on participatory integrated watershed management and adaptation to climate change.

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