Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
In 2085, 77% (A2) and 68% (B2) of the forested grids in India are likely to
experience shift in forest types.
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Shift towards wetter forest types in the northeastern region and drier forest
types in the northwestern region in the absence of human influence
Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate warming – doubling of
net primary productivity under the A2 scenario and nearly 70% increase under
the B2 scenario
77% of the grids under A2 and 68% under B2 scenario are likely to undergo
vegetation change. This indicates that well over half of the area under forests
in India is vulnerable to the projected climate change
International Union of Forest Research Organization projected that in a
warmer world, the current carbon regulating services of forests (as carbon
sinks) may be entirely lost, as land ecosystems could turn into a net source of
carbon dioxide later in the century.
2.3 Projection of Change in Agriculture
Agriculture is the source of livelihood for nearly two-thirds of the population
in India. It is predominantly rain-fed covering about 60% of the country’s net
sown area and accounts for 40% of the total food production. Droughts and floods
are frequent and the sector is already facing a high degree of climate variability.
The performance of agriculture sector has a direct bearing on food supplies and
food security. India is projected to become the most populated country by 2030
and will need to produce an additional 100 million tonnes of food grains to feed
the large population. In the agriculture sector, the need for comprehensive risk
management and insurance is further enhanced due to these reasons. 14
The World Bank report “Turn Down The Heat: Climate Extremes, Regional Impacts
and the Case for Resilience”, prepared by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
Research and Climate Analytics mentions that “in India, more than 60% of the
crop area is rain-fed, making it highly vulnerable to climate-induced changes
in precipitation patterns. It is estimated that by the 2050s, with a temperature
increase of 2°C-2.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels, water for agricultural
production in the river basins of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra will reduce
Annexures
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