ONGC joins national action plan on climate change

New Delhi, July 11 : In a bid to sustain the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) has inked an agreement with Uttaranchal Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB) to support tree plantation in Upper Himalayas region, especially those species which can mitigate Climate Change.

During the signing ceremony on Wednesday, a cheque of Rs. 54.41 lakhs was handed over to UBFDB.

Under this agreement, ONGC and Uttranchal Bamboo and Fiber development Board (UBFDB) of Uttarakhand will work together to plant trees in Upper Himalayas region. These plants are very vital constituents of ecosystem, facilitating carbon sequestration, and hence mitigate adverse impacts on climate due to release of huge quantities of carbon dioxide and other global warming agents.

The 'National Action Plan on Climate Change' of India, prepared under the guidance and direction of Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change, has eight priority areas; one of them is 'Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem'.

ONGC has joined hands with Uttaranchal Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB) to support tree plantation in Upper Himalayas to mitigate Climate Change. From left: ONGC CMD R.S.Sharma, ONGC Director A.K.Hazarika, UBFDB CEO S.T.S Lepcha, Additional Secretary, MOEF R.H.Khwaja.

The process was initiated on the World Environment Day i.e. 5th June 2008 by handing over a letter of intent to UBFDB by in the presence of ONGC's CMD Mr. R S Sharma, ONGC's Director Mr. A.K.Hazarika and Mr. R.H.Khwaja, Additional Secretary, MoEF, Government of India.

With this initiative, ONGC has once again taken a lead role in contributing towards the Indian Government's National Action Plan on Climate Change.

ONGC is already in the process of conservation and restoration of mangroves through Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai at Gulf of Cambay area at a cost of Rs. 20 million. This program also involves education and awareness about ecological significance of mangroves among various stakeholders in the coastal area of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

ANI