Shimla, Dec 31 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh will have a centre to study climatic changes and their impact on environment, an official statement said here Saturday.

Environmentalist R.K. Pachauri, director general of The Energy and Resources Institute, will inaugurate the centre here in February, the statement quoting Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said.

Dhumal said Pachauri would also speak on issues and challenges on climate change on the occasion.

“The centre is the need of the hour and to implement the policies directed towards protection of environment and monitor changes taking place due to global warming,” he said.

The centre will also promote research and generate scientific database relating to the sectors that are vulnerable to climate change like agriculture, horticulture and forests.

According to official records, 66 percent, or about 37,033 sq km of the total 55,643 sq km of the state, is under forest cover.