UK to help India in ecology tech transfer

The Deputy Prime Minister, who was the chief guest at the launch of the European branch of the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) here, said developing countries would do well to learn from `mistakes’ of developed countries and maintain their investment in public transport.

India’s High Commissioner to Britain, Nareshwar Dayal, expressed confidence that the new initiative would promote Indo-British ties in the fields of trade and environment.

He said India is aware of the damage caused to environment by vehicular pollution. He sought British assistance in cleaning river Yamuna. “If you can clean our river and make it pure we will be indebted to you for ever," Dayal told Prescott.

Prescott who paid an official visit to India last month said his department was developing an action plan with Indian colleagues to help deliver various initiatives outlined in the ministerial agreement.

"We will be working closely with Indian ministries, public transport operators and research organisations such as TERIi to take the plan forward and to develop practical proposals for implementing sustainable transport policies in India," he said.

R K Pachauri, managing director, TERI-Europe said TERI is a non-profit independent institute and has grown to a global size with a manpower of 500 persons basically with support from a variety of sources for activities it implements. TERI is now the largest developing-country institution working to move human society towards a sustainable future.

Veronica Sutherland, deputy secretary general in the Commonwealth secretariat, said TERI projects would benefit not only India but other countries in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth secretariat hosted the launch of TERI-Europe.