Reckitt’s Climate Resilience Index For North Eastern Region Of India: Nagaland

New Delhi: The Climate Resilience Index is a data-backed assessment that takes into consideration factors contributing to climatic vulnerability, existing adaptation mechanisms in place and ability of the system to bounce back in case of an adverse climatic event. The index measures the ability of a state to cope with climate risks.

It has been drafted by Reckitt as a measure that will help North Eastern States cope up with the effects of climate risks. This assessment of gaps with recommendations have been drafted based on ground assessments, currently being piloted in two states – Sikkim and Nagaland.

Also Read: Climate Resilience Index For North Eastern Region Of India: Sikkim

Here are some of the highlights from the report’s findings in Nagaland:

– 2% declining rainfall trend observed in Nagaland from 2009-2019 (highest decline amongst 7 studied states)

– There has been 40% reduction in expenditure incurred on Water Conservation and Water Harvesting under MGNREGA (2018-2021) in Nagaland

– Low road connectivity makes accessibility difficult in the region

– Agriculture is the main occupation in the state but also the most vulnerable to climate change.

– Nagaland has also the highest out-of-pocket expense on health on hospitalisation amongst the seven states studied in the North Eastern Region

The Climate Resilience Index report further states the potential focus areas for the state:

– The agricultural systems in Nagaland will have to achieve climate smart objectives, government has to come up with an integrated landscape management approach. Intervention includes contour bunding (involves the placement of lines of stones along the natural rises of a landscape), contour trenching (an agricultural technique that allow for water, and soil conservation, and to increase agricultural production in the region), loose boulder (drainage line treatments), check dams, land levelling and bench terraces, plantation of area specific species, vermicomposting to name a few.

– It further states that Nagaland will have to focus on Integrated forest landscape management for forest conservation and strengthening biodiversity

– The state should also define conservation block-wise tailored approach depending on local needs and conditions (reforestation, afforestation, ecological restoration, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and agroforestry)

– Given that Nagaland has the highest out-of-pocket expense on health out of the 7 states, exploring traditional medicine can bridge the gap with proper policy, along with modern medicine improving overall healthcare system

Also Read: Developing Climate Resilience Index (CRI) For The North Eastern Region Of India

So, Why North Eastern Regions?

Susceptibility of climate change in north eastern region of India is high, as per the study, following observations were done:

– 60% area of NER (5/8 states) show a significant declining trend in precipitation over more than a 100 year period

– Moreover, the report says, parts of the region despite receiving high seasonal rainfall are drought-prone

– The report also adds that 87% of NER either received no rainfall or is rainfall deficient

– One of the 35 biodiversity hotspots in the world and lies within Indomalaya ecozone. As per the CRI study, 24% of India’s forests are in NER; which occupies 8% of India’s geographic area

– The report further highlights that there was a 5% consecutive loss in NER’s forest (70% NER area is forests) between 2017-19, while in that period, India saw an increase of 1%

– The report also states that North eastern regions are highly prone to landslides with decreasing forest cover

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity,  that is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.