The State Government has decided to implement the Climate Change Action Plan without waiting for Central assistance.
“Availability of funds will not be a bottleneck in the process. Required funds will be made available to the implementing departments and agencies,” Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra said.
Asking the line departments to take up activities with commitment, he said their actions were crucial for future growth and survival.
The Forest and Environment department was asked to increase plantation and density of tree converge in 20,000 sq km forest and intensify the raising of nurseries at block and district levels.
The Chief Secretary said around `1,700 crore was available for plantation under different schemes and more funds, if required, would be made available.
The Energy department was asked to take measures for reducing transmission and commercial loss of energy to save it and reduce the requirement for more generation. The department was further asked to create a common pool of funds for incentivising solar project initiatives and increase the use of energy saving devices, official sources said.
Around `20 crore is available for promotion of solar projects. The department has been asked to scale it up to `50 crore, Energy Secretary P K Jena said.
Two State-run agencies - OREDA and OMFED - were directed to work out specific target- oriented action plan for promoting improved chullah and bio-gas plants.
The departments of Fisheries and Animal Resource Development and Water Resources have been asked to monitor these activities under the action plan.
The meeting also decided that incentives will be provided to private houses for having rooftop solar panels and rain water harvesting system. The Chief Secretary also advised BDA, Water Resource department and OREDA to empanel service proving agencies to whom people can contact for facilitating such type of projects in their houses.