Tamil Nadu Leads the Way in Climate Change Mitigation, According to CM Stalin

Chennai, Dec 5 (NationPress) Chief Minister M. K. Stalin stated on Thursday that Tamil Nadu stands as a trailblazer and a benchmark for tackling climate change within India.

During the second assembly of the Tamil Nadu Governing Council on Climate Change at the state secretariat, CM Stalin noted, "The climate change governing council I oversee is the first of its kind in the nation. Tamil Nadu serves as a model for others in the fight against climate change."

The Chief Minister underscored that the Tamil Nadu government prioritizes both economic development and environmental stewardship as its dual objectives.

He pointed out significant initiatives like the restoration of water bodies, the establishment of climate-resilient urban areas, and the conservation of biodiversity.

Addressing the air pollution issues in Delhi, CM Stalin urged council members, including Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India, to formulate projects that tackle such pressing challenges.

He celebrated the success of the 'Meendum Manjappai' initiative, which has notably decreased the reliance on single-use plastic bags by encouraging the use of jute bags.

The Chief Minister remarked that environmental awareness, especially among the youth, has significantly increased compared to previous years.

Reiterating the state's dedication to achieving net zero emissions by 2070, CM Stalin shared that 8.3 crore tree saplings have been planted as part of the Pasumai Tamil Nadu Iyakkam (Green Tamil Nadu Movement).

He mentioned that nearly 1,000 hectares of mangroves and vital habitats have been established through the Tamil Nadu Neithal Meetchi Iyakkam, aiding in carbon sequestration and coastal defense.

Furthermore, CM Stalin indicated that Tamil Nadu is a frontrunner in renewable energy, ranking as the third-largest producer in India.

The state produces 11,900 million units of energy yearly from wind power and aims to generate 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources.

Water Conservation was highlighted as the "foundation" of the Tamil Nadu Climate Change initiative, with CM Stalin announcing plans to revitalize 5,000 small irrigation ponds at an investment of Rs 500 crore in 2024-25 through the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

Under MNREGA, 2,39,701 projects related to natural resource management have been completed.

Since 2021, the 100-Day Water Conservation Movement has established 1.3 lakh water conservation structures, addressing water scarcity and enhancing agricultural productivity. In urban locales, the state has renovated 2,477 water bodies, improving both water levels and quality.

Additionally, the state government has presented a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Rs 1,825 crore to the Department of Economic Affairs, seeking support from the Asian Development Bank to enhance six rivers and water pumping stations.