Climate Change: Voices from the Rain Fed Areas

Jaipur 3^rd November, 2009. The Sixth Regional Judicial type public hearing of people from the grassroot from 11 rainfed / drought affected states on climate change and its impacts will be held on 4th November form 10.AM onward at HCM-RIPA campus.

Oxfam India in association with a collective of about 60 civil society organizations will be organizing this Public Hearing where more than 300 peoples representatives and networks including Jaipur based NGO CECOEDECON will participate. Rajasthan Minister of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Mr. Bharat Singh, Madhya Pradesh Minister for Public Health & Technical Education - Mahendra Hardiya and Chhattisgarh Minister of Agriculture and Livestock - S.C. Sahu along with prominent Jury members will hear the testimonies and give their verdict. Eminent jury members includes - Mr. Arun Kumar -Pani Baba-journalist turned ecologist, Mr. C.K.Ganguly-Political and theatre activist, Ms. Kamla Bhasin-renowned activist and gender trainer, Shri Om Joshi -MLA, Justice Panachand Jain -Retired High Court Judge, Shri Rajendra Bhanawat -IAS,Commissioner -NEREGA,Rajasthan Govt, Dr. Suman Sahai Convener of Gene Campaign  and Justice V.S. Dave Retired High Court Judge.

Ms. Aditi Kapoor, Oxfam India-Economic Justice lead specialist informed that earlier five regional public hearings were organized in five different agro climate zones and the final national hearing will be held in New Delhi from 11-13^th Nov. 2009. She informed that Video made on the testimonies will be shown at Copenhegan, where heads of states are meeting this December to agree on a global climate pact. The jury report will be compiled and shared extensively through offline and online media as well as at the national Hearing and at Copenhagen in December 2009.

Shri Vijay Pratap, Convenor Public Hearing, Alka Awasthi, Co-Director, Cecoedecon and Mr. Ajay K. Jha, Director, PAIRVI said that effects of climate change spare none and worst hit are the poor who have limited resources and capacity to respond or adapt to the change weather patterns.

They informed that during Jaipur hearing, a number of testimonies from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujrat, Jharkhand, Bihar and  Uttarakhand through civil society organizations & networks will be presented during the day long hearing.

On this occasion, folk play on climate change from Sahariya community of Baran district and street play from Seedling Public School will be enacted for awareness on climate issues.

About Oxfam India:

Oxfam India works towards putting an end to poverty and injustice. For over 50 years, Oxfam has been actively partnering communities and like-minded organizations to bring in a global movement of change. Oxfam India is a member of Oxfam International, which works in over 110 countries on issues related to people living in poverty and helping them take control of their rights. Oxfam India focuses on 4 priority areas: Economic Justice - earning a better income; Gender Justice - unlocking women's potential; Essential Services - the ABC of overcoming poverty; and Humanitarian Work - preparing to survive. 

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