The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Experts slam State’s proposals to Centre for tackling climate change

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Tuesday, Jul 07, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Experts slam State’s proposals to Centre for tackling climate change

Priscilla Jebaraj

Finance Department has sought grants to tune of Rs.87 crore

CHENNAI: “Are exhibition centres and conference halls the most urgent needs on the State’s climate change agenda?”

The question is being raised by some leading climate change experts, who are questioning the efficacy of the State government’s proposals to the Central Finance Commission for tackling climate change.

This year, for the first time, the State Finance Department’s proposals to the Commission include climate change-related proposals for grants to the tune of Rs.87 crore.

The first item on the wish list comes under the heading ‘Infrastructure facilities.’ They include a “permanent exhibition centre in Chennai, for which pucca buildings are required to be constructed.”

They include “office complex, conference hall, training centre, trainees hostel, laboratories, library, auditorium, museum, etc.,” according to a Finance Department report in May 2009. The total cost would be Rs.17 crore.

“Of course, we need infrastructure, but not this kind. We need small check dams and water harvesting structures. These are far more important in the real fight against climate change impacts…There is no need for a dedicated exhibition centre,” says A. Arivudai Nambi, climate change project director at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.

Dr. Nambi feels that the second item on the agenda – research facilities – is far more justified.

“Investing in academic institutions is a must. The research they can do on climate change is very vital.” However, the budget for this proposal is only Rs.50 lakh per year.

“The research needs for the State are at least Rs.5 crore,” says A. Ramachandran, director of the Centre for Climate Change Adaptation and Research at Anna University.

Database need of the hour

He received Rs.1 crore from the State government to set up the centre, but points out that the needs of building up a research database are much higher.

The proposal lists the prospective areas of research as cleaner and cost-effective technologies to minimise waste and manage treatment plants, solid waste management through bio-technology, new technologies to mitigate air and vehicular pollution, environmental health and modelling studies on climate change.

Little attention

Experts say little attention is being paid to research on specific vulnerabilities and adaptation needs in the State.

“They have created this without consulting anyone properly…They have just picked things off the internet,” claimed Dr. Ramachandran.

The third item on the agenda is the creation of awareness and eco-friendly programmes.

The Finance Department’s proposal says that the main focus of the programme will be schools and colleges, with eco clubs and green volunteers to be created.

A sum of Rs.3.5 crore per year has been sought.

The final item is titled ‘Raising climate change mitigation plantations in institutions.’

At a cost of Rs.10 crore per year, the government wants to “control the adverse impact of air, water and noise pollution and to improve the aesthetic beauty of urban areas” through these plantations, with select species to be planted in all State institutions.

“This is the same old wine in different bottles. How is this any different from what regular afforestation projects are supposed to be doing?” asks Dr. Nambi.

“There is little understanding of the real needs,” adds Dr. Ramachandran.

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