Kathmandu, November 3 The Ministry of Forests and Environment has developed and implemented the ‘Climate Smart Village Programme Operations Procedure’ to ease the proposed plan to establish climate smart villages in selected local levels of all seven provinces. The procedure also aims to identify areas sensitive to climate change and disaster vulnerable places for the operation of substantial programmes from the grassroots level. As per the procedure, climate smart actions in five areas — agriculture, water, biodiversity, energy and education — to lead the communities towards sustainable development through climate adaptation will be taken. The programme shall be operated in selected places within the concerned local levels under the perimetre of annual programme. Climate Smart Village Programme Implementation Committee shall be deployed in the district to select beneficiary groups of the local level. The six-member committee is led by chief of local level. Other members include representatives from forest office, agricultural office, chair of the ward where the programme is operated, chief administrative officer of local level or an employee designated by him/her and environment section of the local level. At least 20 per cent of the total cost of the programme shall be borne by the beneficiary groups in the form of cash or kind. “Places shall be selected in accordance with the provisions stipulated in Local Adaptation Plan of Action as far as possible in a manner to avoid duplication. Indigenous nationalities, women, and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups shall get more priority while selecting village/ward/neighbourhood for the operation of climate smart village programme,” it states. If technical and administrative employees necessary for the programme is not available at the local level, they may be hired according to the Public Procurement Act. Water smart practices include installment of gutter, conduits, inlet/outlet pipe for rooftop water harvesting, plastic pond, solar water pump and water source conservation. Carbon and energy smart practices cover improved stoves, solar home lighting system and tree plantation. Agriculture smart practices are concerned with improved cattle house, bio-pesticide, drip irrigation, fruit plants, plastic tunnel, green house and rooftop gardening. Biodiversity smart and education smart practices include master nursery for plant production and capacity enhancement respectively. The government shall bear maximum 80 per cent of cost to be incurred for these activities.