Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Inaugurates International Workshop on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Minister of State for Rural Development and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti inaugurated the International Lesson Learning Workshop of the Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth program on August 31, 2023.

Secretary (Rural Development), Shailesh Kumar Singh, the British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, the Resident Representative of UNDP, Isabelle Tschan, Joint Secretary (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), Amit Kataria and Director (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA), Dharmvir Jha were also present on the occasion.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, along with all notable guests jointly unveiled a book showcasing 75 success stories of climate resilience. This compendium, compiled by UNDP, highlights the significant role of the Mahatma Gandhi NREG Scheme program in strengthening the climate resilience of vulnerable communities.

In her address, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti highlighted the nation's unwavering commitment to building climate-resilient infrastructure for sustainable development. A shining example of this is the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, which is leading the way in conserving water and bridging vital gaps.

Secretary, Shailesh Kumar Singh praised the efforts of State Governments, acknowledging that without their support, the program would not succeed in integrating climate resilience into the planning and implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREG Scheme.

During the event, a recorded message from the Minister of State for Indo-Pacific, Government of the United Kingdom, Ms. Anne-Marie Trevelyan was relayed.

In her message, she underscored the deepening trust and partnership between the two Nations in the realm of climate resilience, emphasizing their commitment to working together.

The British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis conveyed that India's climate action plans and development agenda place great importance on Adaptation and Resilience, making them a key focus area of the India-UK partnership. The technical assistance programme ‘Infrastructure for Climate Resilient Growth’ (ICRG), which was jointly conceived by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Government of United Kingdom, added value to the Mahatma Gandhi NREG Scheme by way of integrating climate change considerations into the planning and implementation of the Scheme.

The Resident Representative of UNDP, Isabelle Tschan underlined that during the implementation of the ICRG programme, UNDP used the approach of building capacities of the key stakeholders including the rural communities, and engaged them in planning and implementing Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. The efforts have showcased the success of this concept and approach to building resilience of the rural poor.

During his welcome note, Joint Secretary, Amit Kataria highlighted the ICRG program as a demonstration of how climate-informed planning of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA infrastructure can contribute to resilient livelihoods through initiatives such as groundwater recharge, micro-irrigation, soil and water conservation, and plantations.

During the workshop, the states of Bihar and Odisha, where the ICRG program was implemented, shared valuable insights on how MGNREGS has facilitated more effective investment in natural resource management (NRM) infrastructure. These insights focused on supporting resilient livelihoods, particularly in the agricultural sector.

The workshop saw participation from various national and international experts who covered a range of topics related to climate-resilient growth. Lessons from Climate Resilience and Information and Systems Planning (CRISP-M tool) implementation were also shared by from International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED), United Kingdom.

IIED discussed the innovative use of GIS and climate information for planning water conservation and harvesting. This approach aims to achieve long-term drought proofing and enhance flood resilience, showcasing the potential of technology in addressing water-related challenges in the context of climate change.

Riya Rahiman from the Coalition for Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) presented the importance of early action and early warning systems in building climate and disaster resilience. She also shared case studies from Small Island Developing States (IRIS), highlighting practical examples of resilience-building efforts in vulnerable island communities.

Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF India, Hyun Hee Ban discussed the opportunities for MGNREGS to contribute to child, gender, and shock-responsive social protection.

During the presentation, Hyun Hee Ban highlighted how MGNREGS can be utilized to address the unique requirements of children, advance gender equality, and offer assistance during periods of shock and crisis. The focus was on maximizing the program's potential to provide targeted support and social protection for vulnerable groups in such circumstances.

Dr Luigi Di Sarno from the University of Liverpool provided insights on low carbon and sustainable engineering solutions for durable and resilient constructions. The briefing covered innovative approaches and technologies that can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly and resilient infrastructure.

An advisor from FCDO Nairobi, David Kinyua shared insights and learnings from the Hunger Safety Net Programme in Kenya. This involved discussing strategies and approaches implemented in the program to address food insecurity and build resilience among vulnerable populations in Kenya. Vivek Coelho Programme Policy Officer (DRR/DRM) from the UN World Food Programme - India, presented on international experiences from the World Food Programme by sharing insights and lessons learned from the organization's work in various countries, highlighting effective approaches to disaster risk reduction and management in the context of food security.