Assam’s strategy and action plan on climate change - Recommendations - First draft - ASTEC (2011)

This report by the Assam Science Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC) contains the compiled recommendation of three consultative workshops organized in Assam University, Gauhati University and Tezpur University by Climate Cell of Environment Division of Assam, Science Technology and Environment Council in collaboration with Department of Ecology and Environment Science, Assam University, Silchar, Department of Geography, Gauhati University, Guwahati and Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University.

Climate change is one of the most important global environmental challenges being faced by humanity today, with its implication on food production system, natural ecosystems, fresh water supply, health and weather related calamities. The North East region of India including Assam is expected to be highly prone to consequences to climate change because of its sensitive geo-ecological set-up, strategic location with international boundary, presence of the Eastern Himalayan ranges, transboundary river systems, inhabitation of ecosystem by people of different ethnic groups and inherent socio-economic differences.

An urgent need has been identified to devise adaptation and mitigation strategies to overcome the impacts of climate change in Northeast and the consultation workshops were held in response to this need. The consultations were held in the six thematic areas, viz. Water Security and Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Security, Sustainable Habitat for quality of life, Mitigating disaster and crisis management, Energy Efficiency and Sufficiency and Protection and Sustainable Management of Forest and Wildlife.

The recommendations were grouped in respective thematic areas in four broader groups of required Policy based initiatives, required developmental interventions, proposed areas for further research/study and Proposed areas for capacity building with a brief note on thematic areas.

The report has been divided into the following sections:

1. Background of the consultation

• Objectives
• Proposed thematic areas for discussion

2. Brief Climatic Vulnerability Scenario of the state

3. Views and recommendation in different thematic areas

• Water Security and Sustainability
• Required policy interventions
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research
• Proposed areas of capacity building

• Sustainable agriculture and livelihood security
• Required policy initiatives
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research/ study /planning
• Proposed areas of capacity building

• Sustainable Habitat for quality of life
• Required policy initiatives
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research
• Proposed areas of capacity building

• Mitigating Natural Disaster and Crisis management
• Required policy initiatives
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research/ study /planning

• Protection and Sustainable Management of Forests and Wildlife
• Required policy initiatives
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research/ study /planning
• Proposed areas of capacity building

• Energy sufficiency and efficiency
• Required policy based initiatives
• Required developmental interventions
• Proposed areas of further research/ study /planning
• Proposed areas of capacity building

• Final recommendation
• Additional Thoughts
• Maps
• Photographs
• Annexures
• Records of Consultation
• List of Participants
• List of Collaborating organisations and their Core-Members
• List of the Persons in the Working Group for Co-ordination and Report Preparation

A copy of the report can be downloaded from below: