December 19, 2024 | Taj Mahal, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Over the past two years Vasudha Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh and with the support from grassroot organisations, have been working towards enhancing local level climate action in Uttar Pradesh.
This work culminated with the launch of Climate Smart Action Plans for 43 Gram Panchayats, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Development of Climate Smart Action Plans and the City Climate Action Plan for Ayodhya on 19th December, 2024 in Lucknow. The action plans were launched by the Honourable State Minister of Panchayati Raj Department, Shri Om Prakash Rajbhar, as Chief Guest and Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who delivered the keynote address.
The Honourable State Minister and the Chief Secretary both appreciated the work carried out by Vasudha Foundation in developing these action plans and highlighted that this first-of-its-kind initiative will be important in motivating other gram panchayats to take up climate action. They extended their support in collaborating with the Gram Pradhans and other relevant administrators to implement these plans. Further, they emphasised the importance of the SOP in fostering this change and building the capacities of various stakeholders to develop and implement such action plans in ~58,000 gram panchayats across the state.
Vasudha’s work was also appreciated by other dignitaries present, including Shri Ravindra, IAS, Principal Secretary, Agricultural Department and Shri Sushant Sharma, IFS, Secretary, Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The action plans and the SOP were deeply appreciated by the Gram Pradhans. In addition to the panel speakers, Gram Pradhans also shared their experience in the preparation of the action plans and implementation of climate initiatives.
The launch was attended by around 250 participants including the Gram Pradhans, Panchayat Secretaries of all 43 Gram Panchayats and all NGO partners who were instrumental in developing these plans. Additionally, the launch was also attended by Gram Pradhans of other gram panchayats (besides the 43 covered) who were interested in integrating climate planning in their local development plans and had heard of our initiative through word-of-mouth. Further, some District Magistrates as well as all 43 DFOs and DPROs from the districts participated in the event virtually.
The highlight of the event were the technical discussions held on the way forward for the implementation and scaling up these plans. With the SOP serving as the guiding document, there is a need to take up ‘training and capacity building’ of relevant administrators at various levels of governance and NGO partners. The launch event reaffirmed the commitment to a sustainable and climate-resilient Uttar Pradesh.
Vasudha Foundation is eager and well-prepared to undertake this work to strengthen climate action at the local level. As recommended by the Chief Secretary, Vasudha will work towards popularising the SOP and action plans. Further, the organisation will work on training & capacity building programmes for the district, block and gram panchayat levels to ensure successful implementation on the ground. The Uttar Pradesh pilot can serve as an example of how other states and regions in India can take up similar efforts to localise climate action.