Syllabus: GS-III & V: Climate Change

Why in the News?

Assam has recently experienced severe climate disruptions including large-scale floods, dry spells, and erratic rainfall patterns. In 2025, over 20 districts were affected by floods, displacing millions, while some faced drought-like conditions due to a 21% rainfall deficit during June–July. The scrapping of Assam’s clean energy policy in 2025 has raised serious concerns regarding its climate resilience and commitment.

Climate Change in Assam

– Temperature Rise: Mean temperature increasing by +0.01°C per year; the Brahmaputra floodplain warmed by ~0.90°C (1986–2015).
– Rainfall Variability: Decline in average annual rainfall and a projected 35% rise in extreme rainfall events.
– Climate Risk: Assam among the most climate-vulnerable states; risk projected to rise by 300% by 2050.
– Forests: Loss of ~3,400 sq km tree cover (2001–2024), weakening natural resilience.

Major Concerns for Assam

– Floods & Erosion: Annual river floods cause displacement and agricultural land loss.
– Droughts: Erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells threaten water security.
– Agriculture: Rice yield declines by ~0.112 ton/ha per 1°C rise; limited irrigation (~30%).
– Livelihood & Migration: Loss of land and resources triggers rural migration.
– Health Risks: Increase in vector- and water-borne diseases.
– Biodiversity Loss: Wetland shrinkage and habitat fragmentation.

Sectoral Impacts of Climate Change

1. Forests: Carbon sinks under threat due to deforestation.
2. Agriculture: Crop failures, pest outbreaks, livelihood loss.
3. Water Resources: Erratic flows, reduced recharge, frequent floods.
4. Fisheries: Declining wetland ecosystems and fish diversity.
5. Infrastructure: Flood damage to roads and bridges.
6. Rural Livelihoods: Vulnerable char dwellers, landless labourers.
7. Public Health: Rising malaria, dengue, and heat-related stress.

Challenges in Mitigating Climate Change

– Weak institutional coordination and fragmented governance.
– Limited financial capacity and rollback of clean energy policy.
– Insufficient local climate data and early warning systems.
– High social vulnerability among poor and tribal populations.
– Deforestation and encroachment reducing ecological resilience.
– Implementation gaps in policy and monitoring.

Initiatives Taken in Assam

– State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) – adopted in 2015, under revision.
– Assam Climate Change Management Society (ACCMS) – nodal body since 2018.
– Flood Early Warning System (FLEWS) – operational since 2009.
– 3% Budgetary Mandate (2022) for resilience measures.
– CM’s Climate Resilient Village Fellowship (2022) for youth engagement.
– Amrit Briskhya Andolan – plantation of 30 million saplings.
– ACT Programme – promotes climate-resilient agriculture.
– Resilient Infrastructure – flood-mitigation and climate-smart construction.

Way Forward

– Mainstream climate adaptation into all development policies.
– Establish a State Green Fund to attract climate finance.
– Strengthen data-driven early warning systems.
– Prioritize ecosystem restoration of forests and wetlands.
– Promote drought- and flood-resistant crops with better irrigation.
– Ensure community-led planning and policy accountability.

Conclusion

Assam stands at the forefront of India’s climate crisis. While significant steps have been taken, recurring floods, erosion, and livelihood loss highlight persistent gaps. A sustained, inclusive, and science-based approach is essential to make Assam climate-resilient by 2050—ensuring survival, equity, and sustainable prosperity.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Analyse the multifaceted impacts of climate change in Assam and evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken so far. Suggest a forward-looking strategy to make Assam climate resilient by 2050. (250 words)