INDIA TALKS TOUGH ON CLIMATE CHANGE

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- India reiterated that it was not deviating
from its commitment towards climate change but instead, urged industrialised
nations to do more to mitigate global warming.

"It is not that India does not have a practical plan. We are not defensive,
we are not obstructionist, we want an international agreement. India has an
active and proactive agenda," said India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh,
trying to dispel some western nations' claims that India was not doing enough to
address global warming.

But, he cautioned that India, with its fast-growing economy, was not
prepared to take any "legally-binding emission reduction targets", which could
derail its efforts to eradicate poverty and dent industrialisation growth.

Indian officials, preparing ahead of the Copenhagen Conference in December,
are proposing that developed countries transfer relevant technology to
developing economies and pump adequate funds to tackle climate change, which is
becoming a pressing global issue.

India proposed that industrialised nations allocate 0.5 to one per cent of
their gross domestic product (GDP) annually, which amounts to US$400 to US$500
billion, to assist developing countries.

As part of its efforts to address environmental degradation, Ramesh said
the government would accelerate forestation to increase from the current 20 per
cent India's forest cover, by adding six million hectares over the next six
years.

On Thursday, the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved about US$100
million (RM350 million) during the 11th plan (2007-12) for the protection of
forests in the country.
-- BERNAMA