Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 13
Nagaland Government is seeking to partner with the German Development Bank (KFW) in setting up projects aimed at poverty alleviation in line with adaptation to climate change. The proposed project, if it materializes, would come as a major boost towards the state’s efforts to improve the living conditions of the people while also coming as an answer to the state government’s efforts to formulate a climate change policy.
As per Dr. Jens Mackelsen, RD, KFW, the main areas of focus of the Bank in India are watershed development, adivasi development, cyclone-protection shelters, natural resource management programmes, minor irrigation programmes, joint forest management or community forest management programmes, etc.
Interacting with the two-member KFW team, which also included Nand Kishor, Project Manager, KFW Delhi, senior state government officials observed that a project funded by the German Development Bank, a bank financed by the German Government, will make tremendous impact in the state, pointing out that a similar project funded by NEPED has made great impact in the state. Explaining why Nagaland is ideal for starting such projects, Additional Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir and Commissioner and Secretary, Temjen Toy, said the general populace of Nagaland has realized the change in climate and its consequences and also the need to urgently address the issue. They also explained that Nagaland is relatively prominent on vulnerability and that the state government is aware and doing much to address climate change.
Sharing his concern for the people of the state, Dr. Mackelsen explained that the bank is focusing on adaptation and not on mitigation of climate change and, as such, any project to be financed by the bank should be on the lines of adaptation to climate change.
He also announced that the preparatory phase for starting the project has already started and that by November this year, the bank would be expecting initial results. He also announced that the KFW will be sending more experts to Nagaland to make feasibility studies.
Also, taking part in the interactions, Nand Kishor said the project was actually an initiative of DONER and that all the ongoing projects in India, including four Northeastern states, are highly effective in poverty alleviation. Chief Secretary Lalthara, in his closing remarks, also urged the bank to venture into the state, assuring that the state government and its bureaucracy would extend full support and cooperation towards implementing such projects.
