Consultation and Capacity building Workshop on State Specific Action Plan on the water sector and improved Convergence among Telangana State Institutions and Departments to deliver Climate resilient policies and services

Environment Protection Training & Research Institute (EPTRI) being a nodal agency on Climate Change for the State of Telangana has prepared the State Action Plan on Climate Change for the state. As follow-up action the Ministry of water Resources, River development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MOWRRD & GR) has directed Government of Telangana to prepare State Specific Action Plan on the water sector (SSAP)  for Telangana under National water Mission (NWM). Government of Telangana has directed EPTRI to prepare the Action plan for water sector. EPTRI has initiated the Action Plan,  as a part of this activity,  conducted  “Consultation and Capacity building Workshop on State Specific Action Plan on the water sector and improved Convergence among Telangana State Institutions and Departments to deliver Climate resilient policies and service’’ in association  with SaciWATERS, supported by British Deputy High Commission, Hyderabad.

 The expert views/opinions has been  sought for the preparation of SSAP for water sector   during the stakeholder’s meeting held today,   to mainstream climate change adaptation and instigate convergence plans across sectors (irrigation, rural water supply, agriculture, public works and among others). The purpose is to communicate with stakeholders and gather their perceptions, valuable experience and recommendations to improve the SSAP report. The workshop aims to build synergies through joint consultation between the work carried out by the government departments and the proposed SSAP for successful adoption of climate Change strategy and water resilience to effectively manage climate extremities in the State.

Sri B. Kalyan  Chakravarthy, IAS Director General EPTRI

Mentioned that Telangana being in semi arid zone experiencing a severe  water stress and  a suitable action plan will be  being prepared by EPTRI that  cover various water resources in the state, management of these resources, gaps between supply and demand,  sector wise utilization, water  governance, etc.

Andrew McAllister British Deputy High Commissioner Hyderabad 20 Feb 2017

Today’s workshop is the latest example of how we are working together in India towards shared objectives. It was specifically designed to address the state government’s interest in adopting and promoting an integrated State Specific Action Plan on Water and Climate Change. To deliver this requires co-ordination across government, which is not as easy as it sounds. So we commissioned this project to look into it. We recognise that Telangana is very vulnerable to climate change. Indirectly, this also has a profound impact on livelihoods and wellbeing. And we have all read about the tragic consequences of this.

The State of Telangana has prioritised water management, with some landmark policy initiatives that are designed to transform both urban and rural livelihoods, through dramatically improved water security. The two flagship schemes: Mission Kakatiya, to restore and enhance the ancient system of water storage tanks; and, Mission Bhagiratha, to 3 provide every household with a connection to a safe drinking water supply: are now widely acclaimed both regionally and nationally. Building on these solid foundations, the next steps might hopefully include strengthening coherence and convergence across government in policy-making and delivery. This requires joined up action from multiple stakeholders across government, business and civil society. And that’s what we’re trying to achieve with this workshop.

Dignitaries attended

Sri B. Kalyan  Chakravarthy, IAS Director General EPTRI

Dr. P. G.  Sastry  Ex-Chairman,  Environmental Appraisal Committee for River valley projects,  Ministry of Environment and Forests,  Govt. of India

Mr. Andrew McAllister,  British Deputy High Commissioner, Hyderabad

Prof. Sucharita Sen, Executive Director, SaciWATERs

Dr A C  Debnath, Assoc.  Professor,  NERIWALM

Sri Y K Reddy, Director ,  IMD

Shaik Allavali, Environmental Engineer

-Press note