Initiatives needed to stop destruction of environment:Richier

In view of incessant rains and floods causing massive destruction in Jammu and Kashmir, French Ambassador to India Francois Richier today said governments should take initiatives to stop disruption of environment to prevent catastrophes in the future.
Referring to a media report which suggested that a report on disruption caused to the environment in that particular region was submitted to the State and Central Governments five years ago, he said, "One cannot be sure whether JK floods is a result of climate change or not, but efforts should be made to stop climate change and help prevent future destruction.
"We can assume that this report, which was made under the auspices of the Jammu and Kashmir government and sent to the central governments is well established by saying that some destruction of the environment has been made and that is causing risk for the near future.

He was speaking at the Global Leadership Summit on 'Climate Change and Calamities...Sharing experiences and strategies' organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) here.
Noting that one per cent of the country's GDP is lost in post disaster management, Head/Scientist in the Department of Science and Technology in the Ministry of S&T, Akhilesh Gupta, said the country would really benefit if the government invests 0.1 per cent of the GDP in preparedness for disaster.
Speaking on the occasion, Mangu Singh, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) also highlighted the need to invest in public transport system in the country, that is undergoing rapid urbanisation

He said the rail-based transport system like Delhi Metro, which consumes only one fifth energy as against road- based system, is the most efficient mode for transportation in the country.

"With rapid urbanisation and increased economic activities this scenario will further deteriorate if corrective actions are not taken, if public transportation is not raised in all the cities," Singh said.
Delhi Metro is the first in the country, with a network of over 190 kms, with energy efficient systems and it is registered as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project which generate Certified Emission Reduction units, he added.
On the occasion, a Knowledge Paper on 'Climate Change and Calamities' was published by ASSOCHAM.