The ministry says equally 'very disturbing' is the projected impact of climate change on the Indian agriculture. It says productivity of most cereals would decrease due to increase in temperature and decrease in water availability, especially in Indo-Gangetic plains.
"Increased climate extremes -- droughts and floods -- are likely to increase production variability. The predicted impact on human health due to climate change includes increase in temperature-related illness, vector borne diseases like malaria, impact of extreme weather events and food insecurity. The poor as well as the elderly, children and the disabled are likely to be most vulnerable to these changes, as they already face limited access to health facilities.
"Climate change could increase incidence of malaria in areas that are already malaria-prone and could introduce malaria in new areas. It requires more emphasis on planning for health facilities, as well as increased capacity of the medical community to cope with these changes."
Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images
Also read: 'Climate change will cause food shortage in India'