IMD, local health departments launch heat action plan across India

India’s climate actions cut across various sectors and are being implemented through various programs and schemes of different Union Ministries, Departments and State/ Union Territory Governments. The Government of India through concerned Ministries and Departments organises workshops, exhibitions, campaigns, competitions, etc. to raise public awareness on issues related to environment sustainability and climate change. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) has been launched to promote sustainable lifestyles and practices that conserve the environment and have climate co-benefits. This Ministry is also implementing the Environment Education Programme (EEP) with an objective to sensitize children/youth, on issues related to environment and to motivate them to adopt sustainable lifestyles. An amount of Rupees 50.07 crores was spent by this Ministry under the Environmental Education, Awareness and Training scheme in FY 2021-22.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken steps to increase public awareness on the subject of health impacts of climate change including heat waves, under the ‘National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health’. Heat wave is one of the severe weather phenomena for which India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues colour coded impact based heat wave warning for public benefit through mass media. IMD in collaboration with local health departments have started heat action plans in many parts of the country to forewarn about heat waves and also advising action to be taken. The National Disaster Management Authoirty (NDMA) and IMD are working with 23 States prone to high temperature leading to heat-wave conditions for supporting heat action plans.

Water Technology Initiative (WTI) has shaped and mounted several research-led solutions through National, International, and coordinated projects for water management and conservation which includes exploring the Agri-Water nexus. Varied projects in this area include groundwater recharge systems and integrated use of drip irrigation systems for enhancing crop productivity, sensors for monitoring of water balance components, solar green house based hydroponic solutions, river bank filtration technologies, rainwater harvesting, etc. under the Indo-Dutch bilateral cooperation. Further, WTI has also supported two Water Innovation Centres (WIC) in Jodhpur and Ludhiana for the Agri-Water interdisciplinary research and development for convergent solutions. Technological approaches have been adopted by Department of Science and Technology for conservation of water through water efficient agricultural practices; augmentation of quality of water from available and accessible sources; and renovation for recycle.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)scheme, which focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through micro irrigation viz. drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. The Government provides financial assistance/subsidy to farmers for encouraging them to install drip and sprinkler irrigation systems under the PDMC scheme. Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of the PDMC scheme by wide publicity through press & print media, publication of leaflets/booklets, organization of workshops, exhibitions, farmer fairs, information on State/Government of India web portals etc. Besides, with the objective of facilitating the States in mobilising resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation, Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) has been created with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The objective of the fund is to facilitate States in mobilizing resources for expanding coverage of micro irrigation by taking up special and innovative projects and also for incentivising micro irrigation beyond the provisions available under PDMC scheme to encourage farmers to install micro irrigation systems. In addition, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) imparts training and organizes field demonstrations through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to educate farmers for promotion of efficient irrigation techniques/ micro irrigation for various crops.

The Government with an intent to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country has launched ‘Startup India initiative’. The action plan for ‘Startup India’ has laid the foundation of Government support, schemes and incentives envisaged to create a vibrant startup ecosystem in the country. The action plan comprises of 19 action items spanning across areas such as ‘Simplification and handholding’, ‘Funding support and incentives’ and ‘Industry- academia partnership and incubation’. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) under Startup India initiative provides financial assistance to startups across the country for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.

This information was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
MB Bureau