Government Launches Weather Forecast Initiative for Gram Panchayats
Why in the news?
The government has launched a weather forecasting initiative at the Gram Panchayat level to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness, benefiting farmers across India.
About the Launch of Weather Forecast at Gram Panchayat Level:
- The government has officially launched a Weather Forecast initiative at the Gram Panchayat level in New Delhi.
- This program aims to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness, directly benefiting farmers and villagers across the country.
- Weather updates will be disseminated through platforms like e-GramSwaraj, the Meri Panchayat app, and Gram Manchitra.
Government Collaboration and Objectives:
- The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Panchayati Raj Ministry, the Earth Sciences Ministry, and the India Meteorological Department.
- Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised that this initiative represents a significant advancement for the country’s economy, supporting local agricultural practices and enhancing community resilience.
About the Weather Forecast Initiative:
- Objective: Aims to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness at the grassroots level.
- Target Beneficiaries: Directly benefits farmers and villagers nationwide.
- Government Agenda: Part of the Government’s 100 Days Agenda, it strengthens grassroots governance and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
- Climate Resilience: Enhances rural populations’ climate resilience to tackle environmental challenges.
- Localised Forecasts: First-time localised weather forecasts available at the Gram Panchayat level, supported by expanded sensor coverage from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- Dissemination Platforms:
- e-GramSwaraj: Enables efficient governance, project tracking, and resource management.
- Meri Panchayat App: Encourages community engagement, allowing citizens to interact with local representatives and report issues.
- Gram Manchitra: A spatial planning tool providing geospatial insights for development projects.
Sources Referred:
PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times