Summit on climate resilient mountain agri on May 2-4 in Uttarakhand

The water resources department of the Uttarakhand government in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute (FRI) will hold a summit here from May 2-4 on the effects of climate change on mountain agriculture.

The summit will focus on developing climate resilient agriculture, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj told reporters.

It aims to find ways to fight the threat posed to mountain agriculture because of the emission of green house gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, he said.

Mentioning the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy, Maharaj said such summits should be held in Uttarakhand to make people aware about the effects of climate change.

The recommendations of the summit will be submitted to the state government for incorporating them in policy formation, he said.

Apart from scientists, researchers and experts, farmers and gram pradhans have been invited to attend the summit.

FRI Director Savita said discussing ways to neutralise the effects of climate change on farming is important as agriculture is the main source of livelihood of 78 per cent of the population.

"FRI has developed species of trees capable of absorbing more carbon, which is considered one of the principal factors behind climate change. These species can help farmers combat the challenge of climate change," she said.