Pakke Declaration
The Pakke Declaration, formally titled the “Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh,” is a climate action roadmap adopted by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on November 13, 2021. It marks the first state-level climate declaration in India aimed at promoting low-emission development and climate resilience over a 25-year timeline up to 2047. Adopted during a special cabinet meeting held at Seijosa inside the Pakke Tiger Reserve, it sets a sub-national precedent for integrating climate mitigation, adaptation, and ecological preservation into state policy.
Background and Policy Framework
The state cabinet convened outside the capital city of Itanagar for the first time in history to pass the declaration. The initiative aligns local state action with global and national climate frameworks, including India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2030).
The declaration aims to achieve climate resilience and low-emission development targets for Arunachal Pradesh by 2047, coinciding with 100 years of Indian independence. To support this objective, the government renamed the Department of Environment and Forest as the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DE&FCC).
The Five Pillars of Panch Dhara
The architecture of the Pakke Declaration rests on five broad thematic pillars known as Panch Dhara. These pillars encompass 75 climate-resilient strategies designed to guide multi-sectoral growth and environmental conservation.
| Panch Dhara Pillar | Focus Areas and Mandate |
| Environment, Forest, and Climate Change | Forest cover expansion, carbon credit utilization, drone surveillance, and biodiversity conservation. |
| Health and Well-being for All | Climate-resilient health infrastructure, disease tracking, and drone networks for medical supplies. |
| Sustainable and Adaptive Living | Promotion of green energy, water conservation, sustainable transport, and eco-friendly urban infrastructure. |
| Livelihoods and Opportunities | Development of organic agriculture, eco-tourism models, green skills, and sustainable forestry jobs. |
| Evidence Generation and Collaborative Action | Localized climate research, traditional ecological knowledge integration, and community empowerment. |
Implementation Mechanism and Departmental Integration
Execution of the declaration involves 23 state government departments, including agriculture, disaster management, tourism, urban development, health, and hydropower. These departments operationalize climate goals through specific action plans monitored by an Empowered Group and a dedicated Pakke Declaration Secretariat Cell.
Action Line Classification
The strategic framework divides operational goals into 410 discrete action lines structured across three distinct timeframes:
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Short-Term Action Lines: 162 measures designed for execution in the initial phase.
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Medium-Term Action Lines: 122 measures targeted for completion by 2030.
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Long-Term Action Lines: 126 measures planned for completion by 2047.
Key Governance and Ecological Decisions
State Butterfly Designation
During the cabinet meeting at Pakke Tiger Reserve, the state government officially declared the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) as the State Butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh. This rare high-canopy butterfly species receives legal protection, supporting local butterfly-based eco-tourism initiatives.
Digital Governance Reforms
The state launched the paperless “e-Cabinet portal” during the same session to reduce paper consumption across administrative departments. Additionally, the government partnered with WWF India to draft the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (SBSAP) aligned with global biodiversity targets and the declaration.
Progress and Implementation Status
The government released its official implementation report detailing financial allocations and execution milestones across participating departments.
| Implementation Parameter | Progress Details |
| Total Action Lines | 410 lines across 23 departments |
| Completed Action Lines | 246 completed |
| Ongoing Action Lines | 70 under active implementation |
| Initiated Action Lines | 94 in the initial setup phase |
| Achieved Climate Strategies | 68 out of 75 primary strategies fulfilled |
| Mobilized Funds | ₹802.6 crore allocated and mobilized |
Essential Facts
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Official Title: The pact is formally named the Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh.
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Date of Adoption: The state cabinet approved the declaration on November 13, 2021.
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Historical Venue: The signing took place at Seijosa inside the Pakke Tiger Reserve, making it the first Arunachal Pradesh cabinet meeting held outside Itanagar.
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First State-Level Climate Pact: Arunachal Pradesh became the first Indian state to pass a dedicated sub-national climate change declaration.
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Core Framework: The roadmap operates on five thematic pillars called Panch Dhara, comprising 75 climate strategies and 410 departmental action lines.
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Departmental Scope: A total of 23 state government departments participate in implementing the declaration targets.
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Target Year: The declaration sets a target of 2047 to build a climate-resilient and low-emission state economy.
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State Butterfly: The cabinet declared the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) as the State Butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh during the event.
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Department Renaming: The Department of Environment and Forest was renamed to the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
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E-Governance: The e-Cabinet portal was launched alongside the declaration to promote paperless governance.
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Partner Organization: The state partnered with WWF India to formulate the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
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Financial Mobilization: The state government mobilized ₹802.6 crore to fund green initiatives and departmental climate programs under the declaration.