Ensuring development happens without harming environment: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that his government firmly believes in path of sustainable development and said it is ensuring that development happens without harming environment. He also said that India is one of few countries whose actions are compliant with Paris Agreement goal of keeping rise in temperature to below two degrees Celsius.

dressing 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) at Gandhinagar via video, he said India has been championing climate action based on values of conservation, sustainable lifestyle and green development model.

"My government firmly believes in path of sustainable development. We are ensuring that development happens without harming environment," Modi said.

India, prime minister told conference, has been tritionally practising mantra of “Athithi Devo Bhava”.

"This has been reflected in slogan me for CMS COP 13 -- 'Migratory species connect planet and toger we welcome m home'," he said.

India proposes to strengn its association with Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia Summit countries. This would be in sync with Indo Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI), wherein New Delhi will be playing a leership role, prime minister said. He also said that India will hold presidency of Convention for coming 3 years and has prepared national action plan to conserve migratory birds along 'Central Asian Flyway'.

Several protected areas in country share common boundaries with or nations, he pointed out pitching for cooperation in conservation of wildlife would le to positive outcomes. number of protected areas increased from 714 in 2014 to 870 in 2019, prime minister said, ding range of "our initiatives include ambitious target of 450 MW renewable energy, smart cities and conservation of water".

"For s, conservation of wildlife and habitats has been a part of cultural ethos of India, which encours compassion and co-existence ...India is one of most diverse countries of world. With 2.4 per cent of world’s land area, it contributes about 8 per cent of kwn global biodiversity," Modi ted.