1 Indian Journal Economics and Development Volume 8 No. 1 (2012): 36-50 BEHAVIOUR AND MAGNITUDE OF CHANGING CLIMATE PATTERN IN CENTRAL PUNJAB: CASE STUDY OF LUDHIANA DISTRICT Deepak Upadhya and D.K. Grover * ABSTRACT The changing climate pattern in terms of maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were analyzed based on relevant time series data/information for fairly long period of about four decades in Ludhiana district of Punjab using statistical tools such as coefficient of variation, graphical representation and samples mean (t-test) for periodical shifts. The study has brought out that during the last four decades, region experienced significant increase in average temperature (both maximum as well as minimum temperature) for the months of February, March, April, August and November. Similarly, months of May, October and December experienced significant increment of average minimum temperature. On the whole, consistent rise in average monthly temperature leading to enhanced level of warming has been observed. Regarding rainfall, various months observed with significant changes in rainfall were March, September, October, November and December. Among these, average rainfall in the months of March, November and December showed a significant decrease while September and October months showed a significant increase over the last about four decades. Monthly relative humidity increased in almost all months except April. In case such climate trend continues over the next few decades, may have detrimental effects on the agricultural output if suitable climate adaptive strategies are not put in place with top priorities in terms of suitable research and development. Introduction Climate Change is not a new or an emerging issue, but, considered as a major issue of 21 st century. The latest scientific studies reveal that a rise in global mean temperature and its adverse effects are appreciable and mounting. Because of which there is an increase in global concern and awareness in climatic matters among the policy makers and researchers in recent times. The other probable reasons behind these may be increasing anthropogenic influence on environment (also to climate). About the human influence on climate is cleared by the definition given by United * M.Sc. Scholar, and Director, Agro-Economic Research Center, Department of Economics and Sociology, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana-141004