International cooperation necesary for reversing global warming: CM

Shimla, June 5 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today emphasised the need for international cooperation for reversing the process of global warming, which had increased the pace of melting of centuries old glaciers in the Himalayas.

Speaking at a function organised by the State Science and Technology Council on the occasion of World Environment Day here he said non-governmental organisations, eco-clubs and environmental groups should cooperation to check the rapid melting of centuries old glaciers.

Mr Singh said people should be made aware of the effects of environmental degradation, which could threaten the very existence of living beings in the times to come.

The drying up of the traditional water reserves, reduction in rain forests and climatic changes were some indications of the impact of global warming, he said, adding that remedial steps should be initiated immediately before it was too late.

He said his government had imposed complete ban on green felling way back in 1983 to save the forest wealth of the state. ''This had resulted in a loss of Rs 1,000 crore annually to the state exchequer. But despite financial constraints the ban continued.'' Himachal had prevented the cutting down of 75,000 trees by persuading the apple growers to switch over to carton boxes instead of the wooden boxes for packaging and transporting apples from the farms to the markets outside the state, he said.

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