Climate changes pose threat on economy, lives of people: experts

Jaipur, Nov 5 : Experts, people and farmers from different parts of the country have expressed serious concern over climate changes saying these changes were poising threat to destabilise the economies and lives of people, particularly in rainfed states.

While participating in a public hearing, organised by 60 organisations, NGOs including Jaipur-based Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society (CECOEDECON) in collaboration with Oxfam India here yesterday, they streessed for collective long-term programme and ameliorative measures in rainfed states.

More than 400 people from 12 rainfed states converged at the public hearing to discuss the impact of climatic change in their regions and on their lives.

Participants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar said for the last five years precipitation and number of rainy days had come down significantly and disrupted the entire agricultural cycle in the regions.

Tribals and pastorals from Jharkhand and Gujarat said following the decrease of forest cover due to climate change, their livelihood opportunities and income from forest produce had significantly reduced compelling them to migrate to nearby urban areas.

NGOs from these states also attested to loss of number of species of plants, pests and insects.

Many other testimonies from various states manifested how local economy livelihood of people, living conditions, traditions and culture have been impacted adversely due to the change in climate, increase in temperature and change in the monsoon patterns.

Women's networks and organisations participated in the public hearing also spoke voluminously on how women have to bear the brunt of loss of household income, deterioration in health and lack of availability of water, fodder and fuel.

The public hearing was conducted by a jury of eminent citizens comprising Justices V S Dave and Panachand Jain, NREGA Rajasthan Commissioner Rajendra Bhanawat, Agriculture expert from Chhattishgarh Manohar Adil, Dr Suman Sahai from Gene Campaign and Advocate and former member of the Rajasthan State Commission for Women Sunita Satyarthi, Arun Kumar Panibaba, and C K Ganguly.

These experts said climate change was of serious concern having potential to destabilise the economies and lives of people in these states.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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