Cabinet gives go-ahead to MoU between India and Bhutan on Environment Co-operation

New Delhi, June 04: The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan for environment protection and cooperation in the areas concerning air quality, waste, chemical management, and climate change.

 

The MoU will "enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country," the statement read.

 

In order to view the bilateral interest of both sides and mutually agreed priorities, this MoU covered the areas of environment like air, waste, chemical management, climate change, and any other areas which jointly decided upon.

 

This MoU will continue to remain in force for a span of ten years. "The participants intend to encourage organizations, private companies, government institutions at all levels, and research institutions on both sides to establish cooperation activities aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Participants also intend to hold Joint Working Group / bilateral meetings to review and analyze the progress of activities and shall keep their respective Ministries/Agencies, duly informed of progress and achievements," it added.

 

This MoU will facilitate the exchange of experiences, best practices, and technical know-how through both public and private sectors to contribute to sustainable development. It provides the possibility for joint projects in areas of mutual interest but no significant employment generation is envisaged.

 

The financial implications of the proposed MoU are limited to the holding of the bilateral meetings / Joint Working Group meetings which will be held alternatively in India and Bhutan. The sending side will bear the travel cost of their delegation while the receiving side is to meet the cost of organizing the meetings and other logistic arrangements.

 

Earlier in 2013, an MoU was signed tween the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the Government of the Republic of India and the National Environment Commission (NEC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan and expired on 10th March 2016. Due to the benefits gained from this MoU both the nation decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of Environment.