Global warming should be arrested by awareness, action: Patil

New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over global warming and related issues, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today said awareness and timely action would go a long way in arresting the phenomenon.

Presiding over a prize distribution function of the 10th Dr Mahbub ul Haq memorial inter-school debate here, the Minister said 21 cities across the world were facing a serious danger due to continuous rise in sea level.

''Kolkata and Mumbai are the two Indian cities which figure on the list,'' Mr Patil said.

Fishermen and small farmers would also land in trouble if this trend goes unchecked, he said.

''Rapid floods in Rajasthan is one aspect of rising sea level,'' the Minister added.

The debate was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for contemporary Studies.

UNI