The government has initiated moves to implement the State Action Plan on Climate Change in the light of the concerns triggered by the failure of the monsoon, Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan told the Assembly on Friday.
Mr. Chandrasekharan said the State had taken up several measures for climate change resilience and adaptation. “One crore trees have been planted under the Haritha Keralam Mission and biodiversity clubs and Bhoomitra Sena units set up in colleges to respond to environmental issues and promote the conservation of sacred groves and ponds. A climate change institute and knowledge cell have been established.”
Earlier, moving the resolution, Peerumade MLA E.S. Bijimol said the variation in temperature and rainfall deficit in Kerala had triggered concerns about the impact of climate change and biodiversity depletion.
Kalpetta MLA C.K. Saseendran said the rainfall deficit in Wayanad had affected agricultural production and aggravated the man- animal conflict. He feared that the decreasing rainfall pointed to a desertification trend in the region.