Civil Society Consultation on Climate Plan

North East Youth Foundation (NEYF) and North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) organised a Civil Society Consultation on Climate Change and State Action Plan on Climate Change on 1st August. Participants of the consultation discussed on the impact of climate change in the state of Assam. Jadav Payeng popularly known as forest man said, “Education from the grassroots level is the key to conserve the nature and lower down the impact of climate change.” He further added that the “youth are vanguard culminating   solutions for protecting the eco system.”

Further putting light on the key issues on impact of climate change Rahul Mahanta, Deptt of Physics Cotton College reiterated that   the society as a whole must focus on both scientific and traditional measures to reconstruct the dilapidating ecosystem. For this to become a success we all need to rely on data in order to form a concrete action plan.

Nava Thakuria , Secretary Guwahati Press Club highlighted very simple yet highly effective and goal oriented   solution to  build a healthy urban ecosystem. “Simple measures like rainwater harvesting, utilisation of solar energy can help us in minimising climate change.

NEYF and NEDF appeals to Government of Assam to look into few important areas before finalising the forthcoming climate plan:

• Any existing or proposed  draft  must be translated into Assamese, Bodo and other regional languages which are used in the state of Assam so that people can understand about the planning.
• Other policies like water, forest, agriculture, land etc policy must be prepared before finalising the climate plan or policy to avoid any contradiction.
• All existing policies must be respected before finalising climate policy to avoid any further contradiction
• There must be strong relations with all the departments which are associated to avoid any confusion or controversies amongst people.
• SAPCC should adopt Free, Prior Informed Consent of the people of Assam before taking up climate adaptation measures like REDD+, water, land, agriculture etc.
• Human rights and gender issues related to Climate Change action should be the primary focus before implementing the proposed action plan.
• Climate action Plan should  use the ‘Do No Harm’ principles while taking up the action plan at all level of implementation

Discussion was held on the thematic areas which are proposed in different climate plans with more emphasis on areas like water, agriculture and forest. Participants from different parts of the state representing different originations apart from youths and students took part in one day consultation. The consultation was held at Bosco Reach Out in Guwahati.