— Photo: R. V. Moorthy

CONSERVING NATURE: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee releasing a poster on environment on the World Environment Day in New Delhi on Tuesday. He is flanked by Ministers of State for Environment and Forest S. Regupathy (left) and Namo Narain Meena.

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said India is committed to climate friendly sustainable development.

Speaking at a function to mark World Environment Day, Mr. Mukherjee said adoption of the National Environment Policy, 2006 was a proof of India's commitment for a clean environment. There was a synergy of environmental and economic policies and appropriate mechanisms to support the integration of sustainable economic and social development and environmental protection.

Mr. Mukherjee said India signing the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change also showed its commitment to a clean environment. The Energy Conservation Act 2001 had set energy consumption norms for each industry.

The theme for this year "Melting Ice - Hot Topic" focussed on the challenges faced by people and ecosystem as a result of rapid environmental and climatic changes. It also linked to the wider world where glaciers were shrinking and an increasing number of extreme weather events triggering frequent droughts and floods.

The Minister said environment conservation and management was not the responsibility of the Government alone. Individuals, their families, communities and institutions should also pitch in.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narayan Meena said climate change, due to rising level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, was one of the most serious environmental concerns of the times. General expansion of economic activity, increased population pressure and use of fossil fuels were responsible for emission of green house gases, which caused global warming.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests S. Reghupati said climate was the most important determinant of vegetation patterns globally and had significant influence on distribution, structure and ecology of forests. Climate change could force some plants and animals to migrate if they were not able to adapt to the changing environment. This caused a problem for conservation and biodiversity. Hence, there was a need to protect environment.

The Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, given annually in recognition of exceptional and outstanding contributions in environment protection, was given to Bindeshwar Pathak and Jyotsna Sitling for the years 2003 and 2004 respectively in the individual category.

The Garhwal Rifle Regiment Centre, Lansdowne and The Malayala Manorama received the award in the organisational category for 2003 and 2004 respectively.

The National Award for Prevention of Pollution for 2005-2006 was awarded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Hazira Plant, Surat.

The E.K. Janaki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy for 2006 was conferred on N.P. Balakrishnan for Animal and on Professor Veena Tandon for Plant Taxonomy.

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