Himalayan region ignored on state-formulated ecological policies: Ramesh

Guwahati, June 11 (ANI): Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Friday said the Himalayan region has been ignored on the state-formulated ecological policies.

Ramesh said the eastern Himalayan region had been left out on all fronts pertaining to development and climatic change assessments, adding that States in the western Himalayan region were given more importance.

"When you talk of Himalayas, normally you associate these states with the region. We forget that there are other states too in the Himalayas. There are also the states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland," said Ramesh.

"So, the eastern Himalayan ecosystem has generally not got the type of attention that the western Himalayan ecosystem has," he added launching the 'National Mission for a Green India' here.

Ramesh further said the northeastern states were selected for the opening session of the consultation because of its rich biodiversity.

"The northeast accounts for nearly 25 percent of the area under forest cover in India. Of course, it's home to a very rich biodiversity and it is as I said very appropriate that we start our consultation process from here," said Ramesh.

Under the 'National Mission for a Green India', seven consultations would be held across the country where civil society groups, concerned citizens, journalists, entrepreneurs, academicians and businessmen would share their views on ecological issues. (ANI)