National Strategy Paper on climate change by November

India will be releasing its National Strategy Paper on global climate change by November this year, which would help the government to prepare an action plan to face the challenges posed by the global warming.

New Delhi, July 13 : India will be releasing its National Strategy Paper on global climate change by November this year, which would help the government to prepare an action plan to face the challenges posed by the global warming.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Council on Climate Change here today that was chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Singh said: "The first tangible output of our Council must be the production of such a national programme for action. As a prelude to this we must prepare a national report on the impact of climate change. This will help to prepare the public for the steps that may have to be taken and also provide a strong scientific basis for the national programme."

Expressing concern over the ill effects of the global warming, Dr. Singh said that even an international consensus on the issue is being formed, it is very important to develop a national agenda on the issue in a parallel fashion, since India depends a lot on vulnerability of monsoons, Himalayan snow-fed rivers, and has a large coastline, and a growing economy that puts pressure on natural resources.

But the Prime Minister also said that the global issue of climate change must be addressed without compromising on the imperatives of poverty alleviation.

Stating the need for mapping the monsoon at sub-regional levels, Dr. Singh also called for preparing a comprehensive road map for energy efficiency and sustainable development in major sectors like agriculture, forestry, industry, transport, power, housing and environment infrastructure. He also called for national Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) authority to work closely with Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Reserve Bank of India and financial institutions to increase participation of the financial sector.

Dr. Singh also highlighted the issue of glacial melting of the Himalayas and said that there is a need for better understanding of the Himalayas.

The government today decided to fund research on melting of the Himalayan glaciers.

"On a priority basis we will fund research into understanding what exactly is happening in the Himalayas, what is the impact on the water flow into the rivers which are dependent on the glaciers in the Himalayas," said Sanjaya Baru, Prime Minister's media advisor.

A major afforestation programme called 'Green India' campaign will be launched on Independence Day (15th of August) this year to increase the green cover across the country.

ANI