The State is likely to operationalise the Meghalaya Climate Emergency & Green Growth Framework to bring about cohesion of initiatives to be implemented by various departments and implementing agencies to address climate change.
A meeting of the Meghalaya State Council on Climate Change & Sustainable Development was chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma yesterday to discuss on the framework and how to enable measures to tackle the escalating climate crisis and safeguard the environment of the State.
The framework, which is in a draft stage, was formulated with the support of Karuna Nundy, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and team, which then underwent an internal review with all concerned departments.
A statement said that the framework has been drafted by the State government following an extensive research and consultation with stakeholders at the community, administrative and political levels and may become a law.
“With this framework, Meghalaya may join the ranks of 40+ countries that have declared a climate emergency, marking a significant moment and dedication towards coordinated and targeted strategies towards climate action,” the statement said.
The chief minister emphasised that the framework is aimed at comprehensively addressing the climate crisis. “The health sector will occupy a major role in this framework as we confront new health challenges arising from climate change. It will ensure that health considerations remain central to our climate strategy,” he stated.
Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Sampath Kumar stated that a “Climate Emergency Law” can enhance the existing interventions by providing a robust enabling framework. It will also take forward the aspirations of the young children who constitute 37 per cent of the population of the state.
During the meeting, the council also reviewed and discussed work being done to rejuvenate the critical water sources in the State and a data portal for capturing real-time data on water demand and supply and creating water budgets at the village level.
Cabinet ministers, Ampareen Lyngdoh, Marcuise N. Marak, Abu Taher Mondal, Chief Secretary Donald Phillips Wahlang, Additional Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed, government officials Vijay Kumar D, Pravin Bakshi, Joram Beda, Syed Md. A. Razi, among other senior government officials, department representatives, members of autonomous district councils and Nundy, along with her team were part of the discussion.
