Orissa's approach to Climate Change Action Plan - Probably going the wrong way

I attended a 'Final Stakeholder Consultation Workshop' that was held on 24th May at a posh hotel in BBSR. The workshop was aimed to 'finalise' Orissa's Climate Change Action Plan. 

I came out with some very serious observations. To me, the so called draft 'Climate Change Action Plan' is nothing but an estimation of expenditure, classified under 11 thematic group heads,  to carry out some activities (like they propose in each budget every year). The action plan does not assess the present situation in the backdrop of climate change; the vulnerability factors, areas, groups, stakeholders etc; Its present preparedness; the future micro-level projections etc. Without doing the primary assessments, it comes straight to activities and staggering estimation of requirements to carryout those activities. 

Further, there is clear ambiguity on the expenditure estimation and source of funding. Even the working group members do not know for what period the budget has been suggested. Even the working group members do not have a clear and unified idea on whether the activities and expenditures put forth in the plan entails additional fund requirements or include the activities and plans being carried out presently by the government. The plan does not give a direction to programme and policies but deals mostly on what specific activities the government wants to implement. 

Fruther, the money estimation made by the working groups are absolutely unrealistic. The activities suggested are only for 'key priority activities'. Yet those activities estimate a requirement of 20,159 Crore rupees which is about 3 times of the state's annual budget. Even the working conveners said that this is a 'wish list'.  The Forest group has sought a staggering 9,200 Crores; Energy group has sought 6,500 Crores; Agriculture department has sought Rs 1498 Crores; Urban group has sought 1,280 Crores; Water sector has sought 720 Crores; Health sector has sought 502.5 Crores; Industry group has sought 322 Crores; Coasts & Disaster thematic group has sought 11 Crores; and so on. In total all the 11 identified thematic groups have sought 20,159.3 Crores.

You should also be aware that the World Bank and the DFID is supporting all these activities. They were present in the workshop as well. When we expressed our reservations about taking money from such organisations, government replied that they are only helping with their 'advice' and that they(the WB, DFID etc) cannot influence the government.

The organisers informed that 'this is the final consultation workshop' and the 'action plan will be hopefully declared on the world environment day'. Biswajit Bhai and I expressed that the government is moving at a dangerously fast pace on such a critical issue. 

I believe that the action plan can not just be a statement of wish list of activities which will inevitably entail huge loans from the lending agencies like the WB and Co. I also asked the government to put everything, including minutes of the earlier 'regional consultations' and any other consultations that have taken place in this process in the public domain. I also requested them to go slow on this and seek consultations before declaring the 'draft action plan'. I further requested that sufficient time should be given to seek and accommodate public suggestions after the draft plan is declared. I requested the organisers and government to get this issue proper publicity and advertise this is major media. 

Having said this, I have serious apprehensions that the government will still come out with a document which it calls as Orissa's 'Climate Change Action Plan' on the World Environment Day on this June. This will be disastrous. This will be ridiculous and if that happens it will one of the most under-prepared document on a very serous policy direction matter. 

Thus we have to be alert on this and be pro-active to make the action plan really meaningful and worthy.