Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM Chairs meeting on Climate Change

The Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of the National Council on Climate Change. The Prime Minister directed the Planning Commission to incorporate clean development strategies into the sectoral plans and proposals for the Eleventh Plan and to make a strategy to deal with climate change an intrinsic part of the Eleventh Plan strategy. The Prime Minister said that the Government would launch a major afforestation programme called "Green India" to convert six million hectares of degraded forest land into green areas. The Prime Minister also called for a long term strategy to deal with glacial melting of the Himalayas. The meeting decided that a national strategy paper on climate change will be prepared before the end of the year. Participants at the meeting emphasized the need for funding research on impact of climate change including research on management of impact of droughts and floods on crop production and urban planning.

Participants emphasized the vital importance of encouraging public transportation in urban areas, reducing dependence on fuel inefficient technologies. Emphasis was placed on collection of reliable data, funding of research for analyzing the data and implementation of practical programmes to improve energy efficiency and reduce wasteful use of natural resources.

The National Council on Climate Change has been asked to come forward with a national strategy that protects India's developmental goals and interests while at the same time addressing concerns, both at home and abroad, with respect to global warming and sustainable development.