India and the United
Kingdom have agreed on cooperation in the field of wildlife
protection. This issue was discussed at a meeting between the
Environment and Forests Minister, Shri T.R.Baalu and his counterpart
from United Kingdom, Shri Elliot Morley in New Delhi, yesterday.
While appreciating India’s efforts for conservation of elephants
and tigers, Shri Morley proposed cooperative action to check
crimes against wildlife through exchange of information, experiences
and technical knowledge. He also offered training programmes
for Indian wildlife officials in the Wildlife Crimes Institute
of United Kingdom. The two Ministers also explored potential
for bilateral cooperation in wide ranging areas like river and
lake conservation, biodiversity conservation, climate change
programmes etc.
Shri Elliot Morley,
Minister of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, observed that
India is an important player in the global action for protection
of environment. He said there was need for India and United
Kingdom to work collectively to ensure tangible results from
the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, besides
furthering the objectives of various international conventions
relating to protection of environment. Shri Morley complimented
the efforts being made to reduce air pollution in Delhi through
shifting of vehicles to CNG fuel.
