India forms panel to assess climate change

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh set up a high-level advisory group on climate change issues Tuesday, on the World Environment Day, here to coordinate national action plans for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change, the Prime Minister's office said.

During an address on the occasion, the PM said that India is committed to pursuing environmentally sustainable development strategies.

"While we have a long way to go in meeting the aspirations of our people and while we must rid our county of the scourge of poverty, ignorance and disease, we should do so in a manner that is environmentally sustainable," Singh said.

"The challenge before us is, therefore, to protect our environment and ensure the well-being of future generations, even as we seek to accelerate the pace of economic growth, pursue industrialization and the modernization of agriculture and improve the quality of life of all our people," he said.

The advisory group will, meanwhile, comprise of government and non-government representatives.

Indian Ministers of External Affairs, Finance, Environment, Agriculture, Water Resources, Science and Technology will be a part of the panel.

The group will advise government on pro-active measures that can be taken by India to deal with climate change.

Source: Xinhua