‘Integrated solutions to global warming need of the hour’

Health Secretary Supriya Sahu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu with the book in Chennai on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

An integrated approach towards welfare of humans, animals, environment and ecosystems is a part of Tamil culture and it is the need of the hour to collectively find permanent solutions to the challenges posed by global warming and climate change, said Thangam Thennarasu, Minister for Finance, Environment and Climate Change, here on Wednesday.

In his valedictory address at the ‘One Health and Climate Change’ Tamil Nadu symposium, Mr. Thennarasu stressed the importance of holding discussions on the concept of ‘One Health’ among all the stakeholders to find solutions to emerging challenges. He also said that the State government had recently declared heatwaves a State-specific disaster.

Climate change

Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma. Subramanian said the State received excess rainfall this year because of climate change and added that the government is taking steps to increase the green cover in Tamil Nadu to 33%.

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, said four international agencies – Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Organisation for Animal Health, World Health Organisation and United Nations Environment Programme – had come together to work on the concept. She said the Tamil Nadu government is a pioneer in setting up ‘One Health Hub’. Based on the ideas discussed during the symposium, Ms. Sahu suggested setting up a One Health observatory in Tamil Nadu, and a State Institute of One Health to steer capacity building, training, and developing the protocols. She also stressed the need to address antimicrobial resistance in animals and the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture.

Mr. Subramanian launched the ‘One Health’ logo and released an introductory booklet – ‘One Health and Climate Change: A Tamil Nadu Perspective’.

Mr. Thennarasu released ‘The Power of Oneness,’ a short film on One Health and Climate Change and ‘The 5 Pillars of One Health,’ a ready reckoner on ‘One Health.’P. Senthil Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests; A. Arun Thamburaj, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu; M. Aravind, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation were present.