Speaking on the occasion Patnaik said Odisha was the first State in the country to formulate the State Climate Change Action Plan. This reflects the great importance the State attaches to this important environmental issue. The suggestions will be very useful in finalising the Action Plan.

The Climate Change Action Plan would lead Odisha to move towards a carbon-conscious and climate resilient State. The draft Action Plan envisages an outlay of Rs.17,000 crore in 11 key sectors over the next five years. The Odisha Climate Change Action Plan would facilitate mobilisation of additional resources to implement the plan. A Climate Change Agency is proposed to be put in place to oversee the progress and liaise with Government of India, external funding agencies and different sectors for smooth implementation of the State Climate Change Action Plan, said the Chief Minister.

“While celebrating World Environment Day, let us pledge to preserve our rich heritage of biodiversity. Needless to say that it is obligatory on our part to preserve the biodiversity and maintain the ecological balance, ”urged Patnaik. He further said Odisha was one amongst the few States of the country to formulate a “State Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan”. The State Biodiversity Board has also been constituted in compliance to the “Biological Diversity Act-2001”, for effective conservation of biodiversity.

The State has an extensive 480 kilometre coast line. The coastal districts of Odisha accounts for 36 per cent of the population who are prone to the climate mediated extreme weather events like floods, cyclones and coastal erosion. A World Bank-assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project would be implemented to promote sustainable management of coastal areas on a long term basis to balance the environmental, economic, social and cultural issues and address the livelihood needs of local communities. The implementation of the project would commence this year.

The world’s leading climate scientists agree that human action is accelerating the climate change. It is a global issue. The impact of climate change could disrupt the fragile life-sustaining ecological system that holds this world together. Rising temperatures, rising sea level, and more frequent climate mediated extreme weather events could seriously threaten the State’s infrastructure, economy, health, and ecosystems. Without proper long-term strategy, climate change may undermine our development efforts, with adverse consequences, across the board, on our people’s livelihood, the environment in which they live and work and their personal health and welfare. Thus it has become imperative to take appropriate mitigative and adaptive measures, said the Chief Minister.

Among others, Chief Secretary TK Mishra and PCCF Suresh Ch Mohanty, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment UN Behera delivered the welcome address and Director, Environment Bhagirathi Behera proposed the vote of thanks.