Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change today met his Malaysian Counterpart Mr. Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Minister for Natural Resources and Environment. Both the principals agreed to strengthen the bi-lateral strategic partnership in the area of environment and climate change. They reiterated the need to work closely in the domain of international negotiations so as to protect the interest of developing countries. During the discussions both the ministers discussed the possibility of co-operation in the areas of technical exchange for forest bio-persity conservation with the focus on the following issues DNA Finger-printing of Wildlife animals, Sustainable forest management, Production forestry, Strengthening forest based livelihoods, E-waste management, River cleaning and water conservation etc. Possibilities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of Climate Change and Watershed Management were also discussed.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Javadekar said India was committed for cooperation in climate change negotiations under the UNFCCC, where both the countries belonged to the Like Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group and needed to coordinate with each other so as to ensure that the developed countries did not shift the emission burden on the developing countries.
The Minister said that a concerted stand was required on the Global Climate Change negotiations. On the bio-persity conservation and promotion, Shri Javadekar said that Indian White Tiger may be exchanged for famous Malayan Tapir. Shri Javadekar also referred to the draft MoU under consideration by the Malaysian Forestry Research and Development Board in the field of Bio-technology, tree improvement and Conservation of Forest Genetics Resources and requested his Malaysian counterpart to facilitate the signing of the MoU at the earliest. Appreciating India’s efforts in the areas of Climate Change and Watershed management, Malaysian Minister expressed his willingness to enhance technological co-operation. Secretary (Environment), Shri Ashok Lavasa said that in order to enhance bilateral cooperation the possibility of a draft MoU incorporating issues of mutual interest could be considered in order to enhance level of interaction and exchange.