JAIPUR: The state government will prepare comprehensive mobility (transport) plans for all major cities and towns to reduce energy consumption levels, says the draft policy on Climate Change 2022 that was released by the department of environment and climate change on Sunday.
The draft is open to public suggestions till June 15 and has pitched for a water policy for the multi-storey buildings in big cities like Jaipur. Also, it has linked the implementation of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project with mitigating the multiple impacts of climate change.
The document calls for interdepartmental action on subjects like agriculture, forest, wildlife, biodiversity, water, urban areas, emissions, energy, mining and health to achieve the targeted goals.
The drastic changes in urban planning with every district to form a resilience plan 2050-proper ventilation and more cooling from natural wind to reduce energy consumption during summers and winters has been mentioned. Along with encouraging the green certification for infrastructure to promote green spaces per dweller in the city in the new urban planning is also mentioned.
"Proper urban planning is globally seen as one of the biggest agents to mitigate and control the impact of climate change. The provision of proper roads and a dedicated public transport system to drastically reduce the number of private vehicles can reduce the carbon emission by 30%. Every new settlement should have nine square metres of green open space per resident," said Kumar Manish, director at Urban Voices, a platform promoting sustainable living.
Addressing the challenge of increasing desertification, the document lays emphasis on identifying wind and cyclonic risk zones. Thereafter using forests as windbreaks to control the spread. "Notification of eco-sensitive zones for protected areas without delay is a must. The unchecked plantation drives in the name of environmental protection have proved to be counterproductive. Thus, keeping the local low water-intensive and local climate prone vegetation to keep the green cover sustainable," said Sahil Singhal, an environmentalist.
Vickram Kesri Pradhan, director at the directorate of environment and climate change says that the state falls in area of high climate sensitivity, significant vulnerability and low adaptive capacity.
The documents have formed a three-tier structure to ensure effective implementation. The framework will be led by the apex committee headed by the CM and ministers and principal secretaries of the departments concerned and the chief secretary. The steering committee is to be headed by the chief secretary and task force.
