Itanagar, Nov 13 (UNI): In the first ever Cabinet meeting held outside the capital city in Pakke Tiger Reserve in Pakke Kessang district, the Council of Ministers in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday adopted the ‘Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh’ to accelerate comprehensive, smart, climate resilient and inclusive development of the people and state with all-round efforts, official sources said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “It is indeed a matter of immense privilege for my government and me to have initiated and piloted this ‘landmark’ movement for the benefit of future generations and in recognition of the potential contribution Arunachal Pradesh can make towards the fulfillment of the targets and goals within the National Contribution of India in pursuance of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, considering the forest and natural resources wealth we have.”
He stated that with today’s resolve a responsible commitment at the subnational level has been shown to address key environmental concerns affecting development and wellbeing for the future children and youth of the State and country.
Khandu assured that the state government would do its best to protect the people from challenges posed by the ongoing climate change and its impacts on biodiversity through addressing both the risks to the economy and the ecosystem.
“The Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh is a historic and significant milestone in the”Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav — 75th year of India’s Independence celebrations in the state,” he said.
The Declaration envisages a multi-sectoral whole of government and whole of society approach on the pathway towards low emissions and climate-resilient development through its five broad themes (Panch Dharas) resting on 75 strategies. These themes are — Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Health and Well-being of All, Sustainable and Adaptive Living, Livelihoods and Opportunities and Evidence Generation and Collaborative Action.
The ‘Panch Dharas’ strive to support and realize a Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh with its strategic domains resting on climate resilient forestry, climate resilient agriculture and horticulture, climate resilient animal husbandry and fishery, climate resilient water resource management, human health and climate change, sustainable habitats, renewable energy, sustainable transport system and disaster management preparedness.
The action plans would be implemented with sector-wise resource allocation within respective budgetary envelopes for coordinated, systemic, sustained, and ambitious engagements in the state to urgently tackle and mitigate climate change impacts in the State and realize climate resilient and responsive landscapes in tune with the national policies on climate change response.
This declaration, first of its kind by any State Government in the country and is among the select club of subnational level actions for climate change across the globe as well, also seeks to synergize the efforts of the State Government to realize Sustainable Development Goals in the larger context of climate change, the official sources said.
Cabinet goes paperless
The Cabinet has taken some major decisions with a view to further improve governance and service delivery.
The Chief Minister launched the e-Cabinet portal making the top decision-making body go paperless.
Taking to his twitter handle, Khandu wrote, “Scripting history at Seijosa. Arunachal cabinet is now paperless. Launched the #eCabinet portal today during the State Cabinet meeting held at #PakkeTigerReserve. This paperless mode will help monitor the status of implementation of cabinet decisions more effectively.”
He said e-Cabinet is yet another milestone in the green and digital growth trajectory of the state and strengthens the climate resilience and responsive endeavour.
