Nabard inaugurates climate change centre in Lucknow
LUCKNOW: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) inaugurated its ‘Centre for Climate Change’ -- a first-of-its-kind initiative in South East Asia -- in Lucknow on Friday. The centre will help accelerate concerted efforts on climate action by stakeholders in government, private, financial and non-government sectors.
The new institution will also extend professional support to stakeholders for designing climate projects and taking up collaborative studies. In addition, it will support capacity-building and project preparation in developing countries in the region and in Africa. “A total of 35 climate change projects, with a financial outlay of Rs 1,592 crore, supported by NABARD, are in various stages of implementation in different states. Nabard is the national implementation entity for three important climate funds,” said Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, chairman, Nabard.
“Nabard, through the Bankers’ Institute of Rural Development (a Nabard promoted training institution) has been engaging itself in building the capacity of various stakeholders,” he said. Bhanwala advised the centre to address capacity-building needs, undertake policy advocacy, and promote national and international collaborations.
SK Pattanayak, secretary, ministry of agriculture and farmers’ welfare, said, “Measures like promoting micro irrigation, soil health cards and integrated farming models will help de-risk farmers.” Ravi Shankar Prasad, joint secretary, ministry of environment, forest and climate change said that the ministry was playing a leading role in addressing climate change impacts in the country. Konrad Uebelhoer, director, GIZ, lauded the “proactive role” being played by NABARD in climate change actions.
HR Dave, deputy managing director, Nabard, said that the Centre for Climate Change would be a focal point for capacity-building, not only in India but also in other developing countries.
The function was followed by stakeholders’ consultations.