Tamil Nadu’s green fellows become architects of climate change policy

UDHAGAMANDALAM: Tamil Nadu has 40 green fellows to boast of on this the World Environment Day. These youths have undergone a two-year programme to champion the green cause in the state.

The programme, the first of its kind in the nation, has shaped these 40 fellows, including two hailing from the environment and climate change department, into influential architects of climate change policy. They are ready to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change and sustainable development initiatives.

In June 2023, forty suitable candidates were selected by the Institute for Energy Studies, Anna University, which is the knowledge partner of the Chief Minister’s Green Fellow (CMGF) programme. They were allotted to work in each of the 38 districts in the state to coordinate with the respective district administration in connection with all subjects that fall within the scope of the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DoE&CC).

Anna University, besides recruiting the fellows, has also been monitoring their performance every month and mentoring them in association with DoE&CC, and has created a repository of information for each of the fellows.

Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary, environment, climate change and forest, said, “This programme is an important investment by the govt not only for young aspiring youth but also for a coastal state like Tamil Nadu and for building climate resilience among the people.”

“Prelude to World Environment Day (June 5), when there is a talk about the youth of the future for a better planet, Tamil Nadu has proactively acted on it,” she added.

“The CM’s green fellow initiative is nothing but walking the talk,” Sahu said.

“This is a solid intervention by the govt to ensure that bright youths are involved in addressing climate change and are capacitated to handle the challenges by taking the lead to build resilience,” she added.

While 40 fellows are completing the programme in June end, the govt has already called for another 40 for recruitment in July.

According to Sahu, the programme is a platform for young people. The fellows get experience in policy making at the district level. Also, they are hands-on with initiatives such as the TN Green Mission, TN Wetland Mission, TN Climate Change Mission and TN Coastal Mission.

Nilgiris collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said, “Besides all the four missions, we are utilizing the green fellow mainly for anti-plastic awareness programmes coordinating with the pollution control board. And we see a significant result in the district.”

Used to be part of Young India Fellowship, G Glory, project leader working at DoE&CC in Chennai, had been a CMGF for a while before she became the project leader. She said, “The programme is all about the youth towards climate change. This fellowship has given me a lot of firsthand experience in the field, and after completion of the programme, I have a lot of scope across the globe.”

She adds, “The programme has allowed us to understand the working of the govt system. And the certification of fellowship holds a great pathway to pursue specialised higher education.”

Having a biodiversity background, V Rahini, a CMGF deputed in Coimbatore currently, had completed the programme in Tuticorin for one year before she was transferred to Coimbatore.

Rahini says, “I mainly wanted to be part of a policy change and was looking for a gap. Fortunately, I was selected for the fellowship. It is quite motivating to work closely with the administration and try to make a change in the given arena.”

For her, the programme has given a mixed kind of experience which will give a helping hand in her future endeavour in the conservation field, be it in the government or outside.

Anna University will be conducting a campus placement for the fellows once the programme is over. If the fellows want to go for higher studies or get into private agencies, it is up to them.

“We will also be recruiting people for our four missions if the fellows are interested”, said Sahu.