Odisha first to receive green climate fund

BHUBANESWAR: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is all set to implement Green Climate Fund (GCF) set up under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.As part of the green initiatives, a budget of around `1,097 crore has been proposed for the maiden project for which the GCF funding of about `226 crore has been sanctioned for Odisha, the first State in the country to receive the grant.

The project envisages recharging of ground water in 15 vulnerable districts - Nuapada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar. Along with groundwater recharge, solar micro-irrigation would also be taken up to ensure food security and enhance resilience in vulnerable tribal pockets of these districts known as the most food and water insecure and climate sensitive areas of the State. The project is likely to benefit 15 lakh vulnerable households.

Chief General Manager of Nabard KC Panigrahi said a Funded Activity Agreement has been signed with GCF for implementation of the project that is expected to be completed by 2021. “Process is on to sign an agreement with the State Government. A Project Monitoring Unit also needs to be set up to keep a surveillance on the activities. Once completed, the work will start soon. Since it is first GCF-funded climate project in the country, we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure its successful implementation,” he said.    

Apart from the State Government’s share of around `730 crore and World Bank’s contribution of `46 crore, the community would contribute around `93 crore for the most ambitious project to be jointly executed by Departments of Water Resources, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency and Indian Institute of Water Management. 

Highest amount of `871 crore has been proposed for renovation of community tanks and `165 crore for ground water recharge system followed by `35 crore for integration of solar pumps for irrigation and `17 crore for capacity building of stakeholders.  “This apart, another climate change project of `20 crore under National Adaption Fund for Climate Change is also under implementation in Nuapada district for water management through checking surface run-off,” Panigrahi informed.