24 November 2022 – The Hindu

Role of Panchayats in Climate Change Mitigation

• Panchayati raj institutions, the third tier of government closest to the people, must be involved if India is to achieve the set of objectives outlined in the “Panchamrit” resolution of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in 2021. A appropriate local action plan for implementation and enforcement, launched and controlled by local governments, is required despite the fact that international and national policies have been created with large investments. Panchayats, as local governments, may play a crucial role in addressing many of the causes and effects of climate change in the context of increased devolution that has occurred.
• The frequency of climate-related national disasters has risen during the last few decades. In India, the vast majority of people still reside in rural areas and work in agriculture and other agri-based industries. The livelihood and general well-being of millions of rural populations have been severely impacted by the recent increased fluctuation in meteorological conditions, including rainfall, temperatures, etc. A number of crucial areas for coordinated intervention at the national and State levels are listed in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change 2008 document. However, if panchayati raj institutions had been given a bigger role, the outcomes could have been better. Panchayats can play a significant and proactive role in coordinating effective responses to climate hazards, facilitating adaptation, and developing communities that are resilient to climate change through the ongoing decentralisation process that secures people’s participation.
• The contemporary trend of “carbon neutrality,” which supports economic growth while also promoting zero-carbon development, environmental preservation, and food, energy, and seed sufficiency, is also highlighted in the issue of climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and getting ready for increasingly frequent and severe weather events are essential because human activity is to responsible for the current climate calamity. Anthropogenic emissions can be decreased most effectively and climate resilience can be strengthened through zero carbon development that supports sustainable living.
• Many panchayats have introduced the idea of carbon neutrality in recent years, but Meenangadi gramme panchayat in Kerala’s Wayanad district stands out as one noteworthy example and a role model. The “Carbon neutral Meenangadi” plan, which the panchayat envisioned in 2016, aimed to make Meenangadi carbon neutral. At first, there were campaigns, lessons, and studies. First, a campaign was started to raise awareness. There was also a list of the greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon positivity was discovered for the panchayat. The Gram Sabha was set to meet in order to create an action plan. Additionally, energy-use mapping and socioeconomic surveys were conducted. In an effort to lower emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and protect the ecosystem and biodiversity, numerous multi-sectoral programmes have been put into place. One of the first efforts to promote carbon-neutral activities was the “tree banking” scheme, which offered interest-free loans to stimulate the planting of more trees. The fact that 1,588,816 trees were planted and geo-tagged so that their development could be tracked is notable. The entire community was involved in the process, and various tasks were given to students, young people, and organisations from the technological and academic disciplines. The alterations are still apparent five years later. Another focus area for the launch of LED bulb manufacturing and related microbusinesses was local economic development.
• Another illustration is the Palli gramme panchayat in Jammu & Kashmir, which has embraced both the same people-centric notion and particular regional initiatives. The villagers have been made aware of climate change thanks to the panchayat’s climate-resilient strategy. Priority was given to mitigating factors like lowering energy use, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing the use of solar energy, outlawing plastics, and promoting plantation and water conservation measures. Solar panels and biogas plants were also introduced. 340 homes will now receive energy from a 500KW solar plant. The Gram Panchayat Development Plan for 2022–2023 should include a climate-resilient plan.
• There are other additional panchayats that have started carbon neutral programmes. With the help of the residents, the Kali Bein river in the Seechewal gramme panchayat was revitalised. In Tamil Nadu, the Odanthurai Panchayat has a windmill (350 KW). Maharashtra’s Tikekarwadi Grame Panchayat is well renowned for its extensive use of biogas plants and high levels of production of green energy. In the Chapparapadavu gramme panchayat in Kerala, locals have built a number of green islands. Panchayats are acting in this way in a far greater number.
• The Panchayati Raj Ministry has regionalized the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on themes. A site where panchayats can participate in programmes for resource management, biodiversity protection, waste management, and afforestation has been highlighted as the fifth theme, “Clean and Green Village.” The most recent information indicates that “Clean & Green Village” will be one of the focus issues for 1,09,135 gramme panchayats in 2022-2023. The importance of conserving best practises and widely spreading them has been emphasised by the Ministry. As a result, many panchayats are proposing their environmental plans. To address many of the environmental problems that villages face, the panchayats created an integrated Panchayat Development Plan.
• Rural local administrations in India are subtly using their influence to secure the global goal of carbon neutrality, as envisioned at the UN conference on climate change, in the age of rapid technology growth and digital transformation.

 How do we make our goals realistic?

What particular goals and deadlines should we set if these are our goals? Can our Gram Panchayat carry out these plans?

• Create a monitoring strategy that includes both the teachers and the learners.
• Establish a mechanism for keeping track of weather changes and informing the people of them.
• Create a task force to prepare for and manage extreme scenarios.
• Alternative agricultural plans, water conservation plans, plans to protect wetlands, forests, slopes, coastal areas, flood plains, banks of rivers and streams, and more should all be developed and put into action.
• expanding the use of innovative and renewable energy sources like solar, biogas, and wind while promoting green building practises, reducing the usage of fuel-burning cars and other comparable emission sources.

 What Can a Gram Panchayat Do?

• Ascertain that the Panchayat committee and other volunteers from the community understand exactly what is meant by “climate change” and what effects it has.
• Raising awareness of the effects of climate change through meetings with Gram Sabha, students, farmers, and SHGs.
• Find progressive farmers, motivated teachers and students, and SHG participants to build a working group for climate change action.
• The Department of Agriculture, agricultural colleges, Krishi Vigyn Kendras, the Department of Disaster Management, revenue agencies, educational institutions, and NGOs should all provide this working group’s members with training.
• Start microclimatic monitoring of variables like rainfall, wind speed, ambient temperature, humidity, and stream and river water levels with the aid of nearby educational institutions, students, and teachers.
• Information regarding mitigation and adaptation is disseminated through public handouts, display boards, and wall inscriptions.
• Create bulletin boards and wall decals to promote the weather pattern for the current season.
• Depending on the severity, make a plan to communicate this information with the impacted groups on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis.
• Participatory rural assessments (PRA) are being organised with forward-thinking farmers and elders to better understand the traditional agricultural practises used in the past during harsh occurrences like floods and droughts.
• educating Gram Sabhas about potentially fatal situations like cloud bursts, floods, droughts, land slides, and extreme cold
• Create adequate adaptation plans for those who are most at risk from extreme events, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, people who are chronically ill, pregnant women, people who are nursing, and others.
• Discuss and educate Gram Sabha on ways to combat climate change, such as lowering energy use, plastic use, reliance on fossil fuels, and utilisation of non-renewable building materials. You can also encourage practises like planting trees, preserving forests, using drip irrigation on farms, conserving water, and protecting wetland areas.