India ranks below Sri Lanka in environmental performance: Report

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) India has been found ranking 118th among 133 countries in its performance relating to environment and protection of ecosystem, says an international report.

India's neighbour Sri Lanka ranks at a high 67, leaving behind China too with a ranking of 94. India is, however, better than Pakistan which has been ranked 127th, according to the report, "Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index", prepared by Yale Centre of Envrionmental Law and Policy at Yale University and Centre for International Earth Science Information Network at Coloumbia University in collaboration with World Economic Forum based in Geneva and Joint Resarch Centre of the European Commission.

While the top place is occupied by New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, UK and Australia, the US is ranked 28th and Australia 20th.

Discussing the report with media persons, Dr Daniel C Esty, Director Centre for Environmental Law and Policy, said here today that India needs to give attention to environment while focussing on economic growth.

UNI NAZ VD HT1940