Action plan will be submitted to Union Ministry Introduction of a “climate-tailored agricultural management” system, preservation of ecologically important biomes, and development of water bodies are some of the strategies proposed by the State to overcome the impact of climate change. The strategies have been listed in the State Action Plan for Climate Change, prepared by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. The strategic plan, with a projected financial outlay of Rs.1,000 crore, is being circulated among various stakeholders. Strategies have been prepared for eight sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, water resources, health, energy, urban, and tourism sectors. The action plan will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Ministry had earlier asked all the State governments to prepare the plans for their regions. Kerala plan The major strategies for the food and agriculture sector include “replacement of crops with best adapted or suited crop trait and introduction of new plant variety crops such as paddy, coffee, tea, and rubber that absorb less light and can withstand high temperature and water stress.” An integrated pest management system with stress on bio-pesticide, bio-control agents, and organic methods has been mooted. Shifts in cropping pattern and land use and management have been suggested as “small changes in climatic parameters can be often managed reasonably well by altering dates of planting, spacing,” the plan says. A climate-tailored agricultural management system based on updated climate information for increasing efficiency and deciding sowing dates, choosing fertilizer, and chemical applications have been suggested. Diversification of agriculture, conservation of native trees, encouraging crop rotation, use of crop residues and bio-fertilizers also find mention in the plan. It has also been suggested to “declare climate-sensitive zones having intensive farming activities like Kuttanad region as special agricultural zone.” In the fishing sector, thrust will be on sustainable fish stock enhancement and livelihood improvement of fishermen. Programmes for planting mangroves, support for conservation measures such as trawl ban, and protection of extended marine biodiversity areas such as mangrove systems and backwaters have been mooted. The protection and development of water bodies will be the focus areas in the water resources sector. Proposals for promoting rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of rivers, and revival of polluted lakes and ponds and dried-up lakes have been included. Identification of “most vulnerable area prone to vector and water and air-borne diseases, improvement in surveillance and warning system, and strengthening of health infrastructure have been included in the health sector. Public and private sector participation in renewable energy development will be encouraged in the energy sector, the plan says. Building up proper sanitation and drainage system, preventing open dumping, and ensuring drinking water supply are the key concerns in the urban sector. Identification of special tourism zones that are vulnerable to climate change has been mentioned in the tourism sector. Promoting ecotourism and protecting tourism-related infrastructure from extreme climate events have also been suggested.