Consequent to the formulation of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) at the centre, the govt. of Karnataka has prepared a draft on "KARNATAKA STATE ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE" and had asked for feedback from the public. It is imperative that such a long term plan with far reaching consequences to our communities should be prepared carefully after a lot of deliberations with all stakeholder groups such as farmers, industries, residents, merchants, scientists, environmental groups, social workers, forest dwellers etc.

While the draft plan has many good recommendations, the thrust of the draft is only on marginal changes in the past practices/policies. The sectoral recommendations made are highly unlikely to brig about the required reduction in GHG emissions, and in preventing fast deterioration of the overall health of the environment in the state. What is required is a paradigm shift in our developmental concept. Such a paradigm shift should have the welfare of the vulnerable sections of our society and the environment at the centre of our focus.

Sadly, an objective discussion on the sustainable lifestyle, keeping future generations in proper perspective, is not evident in the draft of KARNATAKA STATE ACTION PLAN ON CLIMATE CHANGE, because the plan has not discussed the critical need to minimize the impacts from accelerated industrialization, escalating demand for energy, unbearable pressure on natural resources such as fresh water, minerals, and the bio-diversity; and the never ending pressure to divert forest and agricultural lands; and the accelerated urbanisation. The draft plan's recommendations may be able to address only the marginal/peripheral issues of Climate Change.

The geographical strengths and constraints and the rich traditions in the areas of agriculture, rural life, water management etc. of the state should lead to an objective discussion on all the related issues, and to a set of action plans for equitable developmental opportunities for all sections of the state while keeping the Global Warming impacts within manageable limits.
A. Agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors

􀂾 64.6% of the total geographical area of the state is said to be under cultivation; and farmers and agricultural laborers account to 56.5% of the total workforce of Karnataka. The state experiences rich and diverse agriculture practices which contribute 28.61% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

􀂾 Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee, raw silk, sandalwood, ragi, tomato, coffee, areca nut, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants. Horticultural crops contribute to over 40% of total income generated from agriculture. In floricultural production, Karnataka occupies second position. This is a great strength to start from in reducing the total GHG emission. In view of large areas of arid and semi arid nature in the state, widespread use of scientific dry land farming practices such as horticulture should be encouraged in northern, eastern and central parts of the state.

The emphasis should be to adopt those agricultural, horticultural and floricultural practices whose demand on water, energy, inorganic pesticides & chemical fertilizers will be minimum, and which will provide Climate/ drought resistant produces.
B. Water resources

􀂾 About 77% of the total geographical area of the state is arid or semi?]arid. Karnataka ranks second in India in terms of total geographical area prone to drought (54% of total geographical area). Water resources are officially considered to be under severe threat in Karnataka.

A highly responsible management of water resources, equitable distribution and efficient usage of water, and optimum harnessing of rain water should be the primary plank of State's policy.
C. Forestry and Biodiversity

􀂾 With 19.96% forest cover and with Western Ghats (WGs) as one of the Global bio-diversity hotspots, the state has an important role to play as a carbon sink at the global level. WGs in Karnataka are either the source or important catchment areas for many perennial rivers of the peninsular India.

The tropical forests, as are the forests in Karnataka, are considered to be the best sinks of CO2, and a good shield against the deleterious impacts of global warming. A strong commitment to increase the forest & tree cover to 33% of the land area of the state, within a definite time period of say 2025, should be a critical target for the state.
D. Urbanisation and transportation

With about 34% urbanization already in the state it is currently ranked as the fifth most urbanized state in the country, and is facing the massive challenges of huge demand for resources such as land, water, minerals, construction materials, energy pollution loading; transport related issues. These issues, as also that of GHG emissions, cannot be addressed satisfactorily unless honest and concerted efforts are undertaken to minimize the urbanisation.
E. Industries and other enterprises

􀂾 Industry is a major contributors of GHG emissions (22.5%) in the state .

􀂾 Karnataka ranks seventh in the production of cement in the country. Karnataka is also th e third largest steel producer in India. These two industries account for over 20% of the overall emissions of the state.

􀂾 The services sector contributing 55.17% to GDSPs dominates the state economy. The sector also has provided huge employment opportunities, and is associated with very low energy demand and hence low GHG emissions.

The role of industrial sector should be carefully considered in the climate action plan. In view of the fact that the industrial sector has contributed a lot to Global Warming not only by emitting GHGs but also in the form of reducing the capacity of natural carbon sinks by demanding land diversion from agriculture and forestry. Hence due diligence is required in determining how much more industrialization and what type of industrialisation is in the interest of the state.
F. Energy

􀂾 Karnataka has no known reserves of coal or petroleum products. Hence the prominence of fossil fuels in its energy mix, which also lead to high GHG emissions, needs a diligent review.

Nearly 80% of GHGs emission in the state has been estimated to be from the fuel combustion process in various sectors like power generation, transportation and industries. It becomes, hence, clear that minimizing the consumption of energy from conventional technology sources (such as fossil fuel based, nuclear based and dam based hydro power), and hence the emission of GHGs is critical to contain the Global Warming.

Inefficiency prevailing in various segments of the sector is considered to be the primary cause for the chronic power cuts, perceived need for additional power plants, and increasing contribution to GHG emissions.

By effectively managing the legitimate demand for electricity in the state through various efficiency improvement measures, and by effective and widespread usage of solar, wind and bio-energy technology in distributed mode the demand for electricity in the state can be satisfactorily met without relying much on conventional power sources, thereby drastically reducing the GHG emissions and all the associated environmental problems.
Conclusions

Global Warming and consequent Climate Change have been considered to be synonymous to many kinds of existential threats faced by creatures. The real threat of Climate Change must be seen as a golden opportunity to thoroughly review the objectives / activities of our society, and apply a paradigm shift to realise welfare objectives of every section on a sustainable basis, never loosing sight of the effect of such actions on the global climate.

Concluded
Views are those of the author

Author can be contacted at shankar.sharma2005@gmail.com