02 Dec 2020  |   05:20am IST

Govt invites public inputs on draft State Action Plan for Climate Change

Govt invites public inputs on draft State Action Plan for Climate Change

Team Herald


Panjim: The State government has invited public inputs on the draft State Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC), according to which nearly 15% of the land in Goa, much of it in the coastal zones, is vulnerable to flooding from extreme rainfall or sea-level rise. 

The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), the nodal agency, has kept the draft plan open for public inputs and suggestions for a period of ten days till December 10. The draft was approved by the State Cabinet in October. 

As per the report, the flood vulnerability analysis from the state reveals that 14.73% of the land is less than 15 metre elevation - much of which are in the coastal zones, and are severely vulnerable to flooding both from extreme rainfall events and sea-level rise. 

“In terms of vulnerability from floods and sea-level rise the talukas of Salcete, Tiswadi, and Bardez are most vulnerable,” the report mentioned. 

It added that Goa is exposed to several climate risks like loss of land due to erosion; loss of life; livelihood; the outbreak of disease; damage to buildings; drainage; and other infrastructure. 

“It is also exposed to sea-level rise, storms, high-speed wind, altered runoff, changed wave pattern and sea temperature in addition to the other threats like rainfall and temperature profile changes,” it added.

The study reveals that the mean annual temperatures (model ensemble) in Goa may increase by around 2°C in 2030s compared to the 1901-1950 period, and further to by around 4°C by 2080s under high emission scenarios. 

Goa will start experiencing heat waves (>40C) beyond the 2040s, as maximum temperature increases by about 5°C towards the century-end under high emission scenarios, it said. Similarly, the minimum temperatures are expected to rise even more by up to 8°C by the century-end.

“The mean annual rainfall in Goa is projected to slightly decline under high emission scenarios, which under low emission scenarios is projected to slightly increase,” the report said.

GSBB has added that the inputs and suggestions will be scrutinized and placed before the State Level Steering Committee for the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change and then presented to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.  


IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar