Port Blair, June 1: The unabated increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases is causing global level variations in climatic systems and will result in the intensification of global warming effect in the near future. Projected impacts of climate change include extended periods of drought, loss of soil fertility, change in the length of growing season and degradation of land, which will negatively impact agricultural production. The impact of climate change is more prominent in small islands than the large continental countries. In order to deliberate upon these issues for identifying and prioritizing major impacts on island ecosystem a workshop was organised at ICAR-CIARI on 11th March 2020 to formulate adaptation strategies.
The workshop was jointly organised by ICAR-CIARI and NABARD under the Climate Change Fund for formulating suitable climate change adaptation projects as a part of coping strategies for Andaman and Nicobar islands. The workshop was attended by more than 80 delegates from line departments, Dept. of Science and Technology, Forest, Industries, Transport, Coconut Development Board, Financial institutions, Officials from NABARD, Academicians, PRI members, Progressive farmers, NGO’s besides all the scientists and SMS from CIARI. The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Tarun Coomer, IFS, PCCF, Department of Forest, A&N Administration who stressed the need for assessment of vulnerabilities and adaptation of climate resilient green technologies to protect the island and provide livelihood to the people. The programme was coordinated by Dr. A.Velmurugan, Principal Scientist under the Chairmanship of Dr B.A. Jerard, Director, ICAR-CIARI.
The workshop identified critical areas for developing suitable adaptation projects to minimize the impact of climate change. They are, assessment of climatic vulnerability of the islands; water resources development and efficient use; land shaping to deal with water logging and sea water ingress; adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress in plant; livestock and fisheries; weather based advisories to minimise losses; conservation of coral reef; reduction of coastal pollution and sedimentation; afforestation and development of bioshield for vulnerable areas and strengthening adaptive capacity in transport, communication and disaster preparedness.