WB defends India,developing nations on environment protection

Ranchi, Jun 12 (UNI) In the wake of widespread concern over carbon emission and global warming, the World Bank today defended India and other developing countries saying the developed nations were required to be more responsible for protection of environment world over.

World Bank Senior Manager Fayez Omar in an interview to UNI here stoutly defended India saying the onus (of environment protection) essentially lies with developed countries.

''Rather, the culprits, who are indulging more in activities resulting in ecological imbalance should be fixed,'' Mr Omar asserted.

''The developed countries have great responsibilities in ensuring ecological balance,'' he said adding that the issue of protection of environment had already taken centre-stage now.

Asked on a specific issue of power scenario in India and the World Bank's reaction to suggestion that nuclear plant be used to generate electricity, he evaded a direct reply saying he was not qualified to talk on nuclear matters.

''However, we do know that there are resources to extract power from non-nuclear sectors, specially hydro,'' he said.

He felt that in terms of power scenario a lot deserved to be taken up and the WB was ready to assist the country to achieve the goal.

''If India wants to generate power through nuclear plants it can do so but there are plenty of scopes to meet the crisis through other non-nuclear means too,'' Mr Omar said.

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