Our vision is to make India’s economic development energy-efficient. Over a period of time, we must pioneer a graduated shift from economic activity based on fossil fuels to one based on non-fossil fuels and from reliance on non-renewable and depleting sources of energy to renewable sources of energy. In this strategy, the sun occupies a center stage, as it should, being literally the original source of all energy. We will pool our scientific, technical and managerial talent, with sufficient financial resources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power our economy and to transform the lives of our people. Our success in this endeavour will change the face of India.
On 30 June 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, which was prepared under the guidance of the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change.
The Plan focuses attention on 8 priority “national missions”:
1. Solar Energy
2. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
3. Sustainable Habitat
4. Conserving Water
5. Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
6. A “Green India”
7. Sustainable agriculture
8. Strategic Knowledge Platform for Climate Change
Ministries have been directed to submit detailed implementation plans by December 2008 to the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change.
The full text of the Prime Minister’s speech on the occasion of the release can be found here.
Dear Friends,
Greetings from HOPE, Puducherry.
Holistic approach for People’s Empowerment (HOPE) is a Non- profit Organization engaged in Research and Advocacy related activities besides providing Information and Training Support to other NGOs in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.
As part of the ongoing activities of HOPE, we are currently carrying out Campaign Against Child Labour, Campaign for Communal Harmony; and Children and Women Development activities in Tsunami-hit villages of Puducherry .The major focus is on rebuilding their lives and Livelihoods through integrated sustainable approach using environment friendly, user-friendly products like Jute, Areca leaves etc.
HOPE also regularly takes up Social Awareness Training for the elected Panchayat Representatives in Puducherry and Karaikal.
We propose to undertake a study of the coastal villages of Puducherry to understand the coast better so that it will be useful to plan the future programmes. The proposed structure is as follows:
• Geographical profile
• Topography
• Climate
• Socio-economic profile
• Demographic and social parameters
• Meteorological aspects
• Geological aspects
• Decline of water table in the coastal aquifers
• Ecological Profile
• Coastal bio-diversity
• CRZ Violations: Tourism and Industries
• Appropriateness of the area for settlement, fishing, etc.
• Recommendation for natural protection plantations
• Recommendation of suitable programmes / projects / activities for coastal improvement / Livelihood promotion / environment protection
If you are interested in attending a preliminary discussion in this regard in Puducherry at 10 am on 31st July 2008, kindly send a mail to vrhope at gmail dot com
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
P. Joseph Victor Raj