Green Options

India has announced numerous changes in its climate policy signaling a renewed effort to cement its credentials as a global environment leader.

With so much going on at the international front the Indian government has struggled to chalk out official negotiations plan for the Copenhagen Summit. It must now decide if it wants to be a deal breaker or a major initiator at the climate talks.

Chaired by President M. Nasheed, the Government of Maldives recently concluded the world’s first ever underwater cabinet meeting. The small island nation of Maldives will perhaps be the first country to go under water, if predictions based on climate change models come true.

The underwater meeting was called to raise this concern and put pressure on the West to act NOW, and for a fair deal at COP in Copenhagen this December. A day after the event, extensively covered by the media (View on: CNN | BBC), the Government of India has announced the setting up of a National institute for long-term research on climate change.

After playing leader in global climate change negotiations, United States is now under pressure to respond to India and China’s announcements of mitigation measures.

Wildlife experts warn that India’s tiger protection plans appear to be failing - and a recent meeting reveals that China is not interested in curtailing its demand for endangered tiger parts.

Despite millions of dollars in funding, a new protection force, forest dweller relocation plans, and other measures, wildlife experts fear that India’s attempts to protect endangered tigers from poaching are failing.

A further blow to tiger protection efforts came when a recent meeting between India’s Minister of Environment and Chinese officials did not make any progress on the issue.