Himachal to set up climate study centre
March 9th, 2011 - 6:27 pm ICT by IANSShimla, March 9 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh will set up a centre to study the impact of the changing environment on climate, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Wednesday.
The centre will promote research and generate scientific database relating to the sectors that are vulnerable to climate change like agriculture, horticulture and forests, Dhumal said during his budget speech in the assembly.
“Besides carrying out research in the areas of disaster management and glaciers, it will also work towards evolving appropriate strategies towards climate change,” the chief minister added.
Dhumal said a Rs.900-crore project was sent to the World Bank by the state for environmentally sustainable development.
“The project proposes research in environmentally sustainable development and promoting energy efficiency and conservation through renewable and alternative sources of energy for low carbon economy,” he said.
According to official records, 66 percent, about 37,033 sq km of the total 55,643 sq km of the state, is under forest cover.
The lush green valleys and snow capped mountains of the state are home to 36 percent of the country’s species of birds. Of the 1,228 species that have been reported in India, 447 are in this state alone.
Similarly, 77 species of mammals - from the spectacular snow leopard to the common Himalayan tahr, a type of wild goat - have been recorded by the Himachal State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in its biodiversity report.
The storehouse of biodiversity also supports 3,120 species of flowering plants, including 187 species of medicinal plants.
- Climate change hitting forests, says Dhumal - Apr 01, 2011
- Himachal to have climate change centre - Dec 31, 2011
- Forest ponds in Himachal to harvest rainwater - Aug 23, 2009
- Forest fires ravage Himachal flora, fauna (With Images) - Jun 29, 2009
- Deodar revival project launched in Shimla - Sep 06, 2009
- To save environment, Himachal schools take pledge - May 04, 2010
- Himachal may go Costa Rican way on environment - Feb 22, 2010
- Himachal ready for another massive plantation drive - Aug 03, 2009
- Himachal Pradesh starts voluntary tax to combat climate change - Oct 20, 2008
- Himachal forest guards to get weapons - Aug 04, 2010
- Himachal battling lantana to save native plants - Mar 12, 2011
- Himachal to be carbon neutral by 2020: Dhumal - Feb 02, 2012
- Army veterans launch ecological operation in Kullu - Jul 27, 2010
- Endangered pheasant species multiply in Himalayan park (With Image) - May 08, 2012
- Forest fires rage as mercury soars in Himachal - May 27, 2009
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