The Union Environment Ministry has given its nod to climate related projects for five State including J&K all worth rupees 108 crore. This was approved by the 9th meeting of National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) after the Committee examined and cleared the Detailed Project Repots submitted by the five States. These States have selected specific areas which would be brought under the projects that would have direct climatic impact on a specific population and its economic activities related to the environments.
Each state has given a title to the project that indicates how and where the project would be implemented. In the case of J&K State, the Kandi area has been earmarked for this purpose. The project bears the title of ‘Climate Resilient Sustainable Agriculture in Rain fed Farming (Kandi) Areas of Jammu & Kashmir’. Obviously, the purpose seems to deal with such pattern of agriculture in Kandi areas as would prove resilient to the climatic conditions. The project is estimated to cost Rs 23.86 crore for four years. The project aims at a reduction in the agricultural vulnerability of farmers in water stressed rain-shadow zones through promotion of appropriate cropping system, rainwater harvesting and recycling, appropriate irrigation and water saving facilities. This is a much needed project for the Kandi areas where water scarcity conditions the entire agricultural pursuits. However, we suppose that the project will not be sufficient for the entire Kandi area and maybe the planners are focusing on some specific areas by way of experiment. If it works, then the project could be extended to more areas of Kandi belt.
This is indeed a much needed project for Kandi area in J&K. The question is proper implementation and execution of the project. Of course experts at Agricultural University and other relevant quarters have a role in the project but it could be rewarding if the Government studied the implementation of the similar project in other states like Chhattisgarh where climatic conditions of the selected area are almost identical to the conditions prevailing in the Kandi belt of Jammu region.
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