EPA official to visit India to boost cooperation

Washington, Mar 28: US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L Johnson, along with a delegation, will be visiting India to meet environmental officials on global environmental cooperation.

Marking the first trip in five years by an EPA administrator, Johnson will visit New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad as he reviews the existing US-Indian collaboration in the field.

In New Delhi, Mr Johnson and India's Minister of Environment and Forests A Raja, will renew a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on environmental cooperation between the two countries.

The MOU, which is renewed every five years, focuses on management of air and water quality and toxic chemicals and waste, along with environmental leadership.

Mr Johnson will also visit the Shri Ram School to hear about its innovative environmental education efforts.

''As major contributors to the global economy, the US and India are important to the health of the global environment,'' he said.

''As we are seeing in the US, environmental progress and economic growth can, in fact, go hand-in-hand. We welcome this opportunity to share our experiences and lessons learned in order to accelerate the pace of environmental protection in both our nations, '' Mr Johnson said.

In Maharashtra, Mr Johnson will attend several events that demonstrate India's commitment to cooperation with the US in promoting the cause.

Following a meeting with government officials in Mumbai, Mr Johnson will address a gathering of public and private sector leaders on collaborative air quality initiatives and new technologies for reducing emissions in the transport and industrial sectors.

The EPA in collaboration with Pune Municipal Corporation and California Air Resources Board, will initiate a diesel bus retrofit project in Pune city.

Mr Johnson will also visit King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai to highlight ongoing efforts to establish a partnership between New York City and Mumbai on strategies to address childhood asthma in urban mega cities.

He will also address students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology in the city on science and sustainable development.

In Andhra Pradesh, Mr Johnson will meet state officials in Hyderabad before participating in a seminar on green building and climate programs in India.

Mr Johnson will conclude his visit to India by discussing EPA's methane gas recovery and mercury programs with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and he will also meet government officials from the Planning Commission and Ministry of Science and Technology on avenues of collaboration to strengthen environmental protection.

UNI