Among Himalayan states, Assam and Mizoram face the biggest climate threat

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Among Himalayan states, Assam and Mizoram face the biggest climate threat

News

According to a study presented by a team of Indian scientists at the COP 24 climate conference, Assam and Mizoram are the most vulnerable to climate change among the Himalayan states.

Important Facts

About the Study:

12 western and eastern Himalayan states were studied on various parameters crucial for adaptation to climate change such as irrigated area, per capita income (for 2014-15), area under crop insurance, forest cover and the extent of slopes

Highlights of the Study:

  1. Assam has the highest vulnerability because:
  • It has one of the lowest areas under irrigation and lowest forest area per 1,000 rural households among the states assessed
  • It has lowest per capita income
  • Lowest area under crop insurance
  • Relatively low participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme (The schemes provides 100 days of unskilled employment to at least one adult member of every poor rural household)
  1. Mizoram (ranked 2nd) is highly vulnerable because of the same issues faced by Assam and because 30% of its geographical area is under slope.
  2. Jammu and Kashmir has third highest vulnerability primarily because:
  • has no area under crop insurance
  • least road density
  • low percentage of area under horticulture crops
  • low livestock to human ratio
  • low percentage of women in the overall workforce
  1. Sikkim has performed the best with lowest vulnerability as
  • It has the highest per capita income among the 12 states assessed,
  • good coverage of dense forests
  • large area under orchards
  • low population density.

Significance of the study:

The study and vulnerability rankings will aid the government in detecting vulnerable states and districts within a state and take appropriate and targeted actions

News

According to a study presented by a team of Indian scientists at the COP 24 climate conference, Assam and Mizoram are the most vulnerable to climate change among the Himalayan states.

Important Facts

About the Study:

12 western and eastern Himalayan states were studied on various parameters crucial for adaptation to climate change such as irrigated area, per capita income (for 2014-15), area under crop insurance, forest cover and the extent of slopes

Highlights of the Study:

  1. Assam has the highest vulnerability because:
  • It has one of the lowest areas under irrigation and lowest forest area per 1,000 rural households among the states assessed
  • It has lowest per capita income
  • Lowest area under crop insurance
  • Relatively low participation in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme (The schemes provides 100 days of unskilled employment to at least one adult member of every poor rural household)
  1. Mizoram (ranked 2nd) is highly vulnerable because of the same issues faced by Assam and because 30% of its geographical area is under slope.
  2. Jammu and Kashmir has third highest vulnerability primarily because:
  • has no area under crop insurance
  • least road density
  • low percentage of area under horticulture crops
  • low livestock to human ratio
  • low percentage of women in the overall workforce
  1. Sikkim has performed the best with lowest vulnerability as
  • It has the highest per capita income among the 12 states assessed,
  • good coverage of dense forests
  • large area under orchards
  • low population density.

Significance of the study:

The study and vulnerability rankings will aid the government in detecting vulnerable states and districts within a state and take appropriate and targeted actions

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