Stakeholder Viewpoints

Mr Navneet Pande, Additional Director, Urban Development Department, Government of Uttarakhand

Climate change has still not been duly recognised in planning and policy making. However, TERI has been an organisation that has been actively working on climate change even on the global front. For any long term strategy, climate change concerns must be accounted for in our planning measures. Ever since the Uttarakhand disaster in 2013, the State realises that there are certain gaps in policy, management and response that need to be addressed urgently.

We would like to improve and make our future secure. There is a trend being observed in terms of rapid urbanisation in the State. So there is a dual challenge of addressing both urbanisation and climate change challenges. Thus, this is an opportune time to initiate discussions on policy planning. From the State Policy Dialogues, there are several planning guidelines that have emerged which could be pursued for approval and implementation by the State.

Mr. Elvis Gomes (Member Secretary, Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) and Director, Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA))

Climate change is real. We have to accept it and take steps to build resilience. In this direction, this roadmap for urban climate resilience policy by TERI is much appreciated. After seeking public opinion, this policy will be placed before the cabinet for approval. I feel that after cabinet approval, we can achieve effective implementation of the same. Policy should provide institutional mechanism in such a way that every stakeholder be it a panchayat member, councillor or an officer should be on the same platform and is able to implement it concurrently. Statutory body will have to be created that can coordinate with all the departments.

Ms. Nila Mohanan (Collector, North Goa District, Goa)

The District Disaster Management Authority, North Goa is the nodal agency for co-ordinating disaster management activities and creating inter-linkages between different stakeholders for climate change adaptation. We are in the process of strengthening the institutional machinery and building our capacities to respond effectively to situations. Emergency operation centres and quick response team vehicles require to be put in place. We also intend to focus on community participation right from the grassroots level in planning for and managing disasters.

Dr. S.T. Puttaraju (Chief Town Planner, Town & Country Planning Department (TCPD), & Joint Secreatry, Govt. of Goa)

Planner’s role is to provide strategic plan as a tool to tackle any disaster such as floods. Goa’s State Disaster management plan considers this aspect. As part of a response strategy, my department has gone a step further and has carried out an exercise of identification of sites for permanent disaster time rehabilitation in case of any climate related disaster as part of Regional Plan for Goa 2021 (DMS). However, I feel there is a need for an independent entity that looks after the implementation of the urban resilience policy and strategies for disaster management.

Mr. D.J.S. Borker (Retd. Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, Goa)

PWD is the key player in District Disaster Management Authority. We provide machinery and manpower in case of emergency. In order to address climate related impacts, I feel capacity building of its employees is strongly needed. We at PWD have initiated it in a small way by collaborating with BITS, Goa to provide regular training to its staff to enhance their knowledge related earthquake proof building designs. There has to be a mechanism to pass on the knowledge to others down the line to ensure continuity.

Dr Piyoosh Rautela, Executive Director, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Government of Uttarakhand

In the absence of continuous and long term data it would be hard to comment on the frequency of extreme weather events but human misery caused by these is on the rise. Uttararakhand has witnessed such incidences in 2010, 2012 and 2013. It is often deduced that such events are going to become more common and the same is a cause of major concern for everyone and every stakeholder has therefore to work dedicatedly for reducing the impact of these.

Mr Jai Raj, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Planning & Finance, Government of Uttarakhand

Climate Change is no doubt a crisis. However, it can be converted into an opportunity if climate change concerns are fully addressed in the developmental planning of a Himalayan State like Uttarakhand. This is necessary for sustainable development and prosperity of the people of Uttarakhand for which Uttarakhand Government is totally committed. I highly appreciate the initiative of Rockefeller Foundation and TERI for developing a state-policy-roadmap on Urban Climate Resilience for Uttarakhand. I am sure that this effort will go a long way in re-orienting our Urban-planning to the needs of Climate Change.