Deconstructing Debate on the National Action Plan on Climate Change at the State Level: A Case Study of Meghalaya State, India

Abstract

The general debate about environmental issues in India centres on the fact that the threats of climate change (CC) have affected the majority of the poor disproportionately. As per the Planning Commission, Government of India, 12th Plan document (2012), the projected changes by 2100 include high regional variability in rainfall (15–40 per cent) with extreme weather conditions and more dry days. Other projected changes include increased temperature in land areas in northern India, a relatively longer winter and post-monsoon seasons, and an increase in annual average temperature by 3–6 °C. There are also reported findings that suggest significant changes in glaciers in the Himalayan ecosystem and resulting water-balance changes in the river basins, especially in the northeastern region and the Indo-Gangetic plains as per the Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (Ministry of Environment and Forest, 2010). The main effects of CC will reduce agricultural productivity and fish production in the coastal areas (Ministry of Environment and Forest, 2010). Given that most of the poor participate in the agricultural workforce, they are likely to suffer the most. According to a report by the Mckinsey Global Institute (2010), India’s urban population is projected to increase from 340 million in 2008 to 590 million in 2030 due to migration from rural areas. These migrants will suffer heavily due to CC mainly as a result of resource congestion.