Delhi Becomes First State In India To Release Action Plan To Combat Climate Change

November 6, 2009 7:01 a.m. EST

New Delhi, India (AHN) - Delhi became the first state on Friday to come out with a 4 year long action plan to combat climate change. The Climate Change Agenda of Delhi 2009-12 was in response to the Indian Prime Minister's call to all state environment and forest ministers to chalk out an action plan to combat climate change. 

The report was released by Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh who congratulated Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit for being the first state in India to achieve this. He said that other states were in the process of finalizing their respective drafts.

The minister said that India is vulnerable in four areas namely the monsoon, Himalayan Glaciers, peninsular India's large coastlines and the location of the country's natural resources. 

He explained that the uncertain monsoons are the country's economic life-line and the prosperity of the rural areas depend on it. When the monsoon fails, the economy and the society is affected. About the Himalayan Glaciers, Ramesh said it provides water security in the northern parts of the country and to maintain the water flow and livelihood in these parts, the Glacier's well being is of utmost importance.

The Minister further pointed out that more than 350 million people live in peninsular India and a rise in the sea level will affect these areas adversely. What makes India further vulnerable was that most of the natural resources were in the forest areas, the minister said.

He said out of the 192 countries in the world, India is most vulnerable and he stressed that the time has come to assume leadership and prevent further damage.

Praising the report as better than the National Action Plan, he suggested setting up a special task force and engaging young people in the implementation process. He also praised the state government's various efforts up to now, including changing over to CNG fuel and increased usage of solar energy.

Pradip Saha, editor at large of Down To Earth magazine said, "Plans are being released all the time. Whether we carry them out properly is what is more important. The consumption pattern is very high in Delhi. Apart from emissions the government should also address problems like solid waste management etc.