National policy on sustainable development needed: Scientist

New Delhi, Mar 26 (UNI) A national policy on sustainable development with particular emphasis on mainstreaming gender consideration in development projects is required in the country, an eminent agricultural scientist said today.

Inaugurating IGNOU's three-day international conference on ''Issues in Public Policy and Sustainable Development'', Prof M S Swaminathan, Chair Sustainable Development at IGNOU, stressed upon the need for developing sustainability science as an independent subject in all universities across the country.

''The development of research projects and course material shall be in the key areas of energy, health, agriculture, biodiversity, industry and transport, he added.

The Chair for Sustainable Development is undertaking various activities, including action research projects on sustainable development in seven Agro Climatic regions of the country-- Hill, Arid, Semi Arid, Coastal, Irrigated, Mountains and Islands-- in collaboration with selected institutions in the respective regions.

It will focus on pro nature, pro poor, pro women and pro employment based sustainable development, action research projects will focus on restoration of ecology, strengthening of cultivation, productivity, profitability and sustainability in small farm conditions and income generation and enhanced livelihood for small farmers and landless labourers.

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