- Climate change assessments highlight concerning trends in Madhya Pradesh across key sectors.
- Vulnerability assessment reveals varying degrees of projected drought conditions in different districts.
- Certain regions, including Morena, Sheopur, Tikamgarh, Shivpuri, Gwalior, and Datia, face heightened drought risk.
- Contrastingly, West Nimar, Indore, Dewas, and Dhar districts could experience some drought relief.
- Forests in 17 districts of Madhya Pradesh predicted to face significant impacts and potential disappearance due to climate change by century’s end.
Recent climate change impact assessments on crucial sectors including water, forestry, agriculture, and health in Madhya Pradesh (MP) have brought to light alarming trends. A climate change vulnerability assessment report reveals a concerning outlook for the state’s future, indicating varying degrees of projected drought conditions and their impacts.
Certain regions, such as Morena, Sheopur, Tikamgarh, Shivpuri, Gwalior, and Datia districts, are expected to witness an increase in drought conditions, particularly towards the mid and end of the century. In contrast, districts like West Nimar, Indore, Dewas, and Dhar are projected to experience some relief from drought during the same time frame, as outlined in the Government of Madhya Pradesh’s State Wildlife Action Plan 2023-2043.
These findings are detailed in the section titled ‘Integrating Climate Change on Wildlife’ within the report. Additionally, the ‘Impact Assessment for Forests’ section delves into the implications of ongoing and anticipated climate change on the state’s forests.
While the changing climate presents an opportunity for heightened net primary productivity in certain regions, the vulnerability of different types of forests to climate change varies. Dry teak forests are identified as particularly susceptible, followed by southern and northern dry mixed deciduous forests.
The study highlights the shifting vegetation distribution under projected climate change, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of forests in districts like Bhind, Datia, and Gwalior. On the other hand, the report indicates that forests in Dindori districts are projected to exhibit comparatively lower vulnerability toward mid-century.
A notable concern arises from the report’s prediction that forests across 17 districts of Madhya Pradesh could face significant impacts and potential disappearance by the end of the current century. Over the past five years, the adverse effects of climate change have begun to take their toll in the region.
Despite the presence of the Environmental Planning and Co-ordination Organisation (EPCO) as a nodal agency for climate change in the state, various life-sustaining departments such as forestry, agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries have yet to provide essential data and insights to EPCO for developing mitigation and adaptation strategies.
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