Urgent Concern: Science Body Warns of Alarming Delays in Government’s SAP-2 Climate Change Plan

In Guwahati, the Assam State Coordination Committee of the All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) has criticized both state and central governments for their lackadaisical response to climate change impacts. The committee, comprising the Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Assam; CRU (NER); and Ellora Vigyan Mancha, highlighted delays in announcing the second State Action Plan (SAP-2) for climate change mitigation. Despite projections indicating Assam’s rising average temperatures and increased extreme weather events, plans remain stalled.

Although SAP-2 was due in 2020, COVID-19 delayed its progress. By 2022, it was expected to be ready, reinforced by assurances from the State’s Science and Technology Minister. Despite these assurances, no updates were provided following inquiries from the AIPSN Coordination Committee. The state’s Environment and Forest Department only revealed, post an RTI application, that the State Cabinet approved SAP-2 for the period 2021–2030, pending approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Approved on February 16, 2023, SAP-2 faced a four-year delay, raising questions about governmental commitment to tackling climate change’s pressing challenges. The lack of transparency in consultations with government departments and NGOs further frustrated efforts to combat potential climate disasters in Assam, previously ranked as India’s fifth most vulnerable state to climate change impacts.

Original Story https://assamtribune.com/assam/govts-delay-in-readying-sap-2-on-climate-change-is-worrisome-science-body-1556167
Category : Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2024-10-27 13:54:00