India pledges USD 1.25 lakh for GFCS

India today announced a grant of USD 1.25 lakh for setting up the secretariat of a global network of experts for improving projections on climate change and its impact on various socio-economic sectors.

"India pledges to support Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) Secretariat with a grant of USD 1,25,000," Earth Sciences Minister P K Bansal said addressing the World Meteorological Conference here.

He hoped that the deliberations on the report of the high-level task force on GFCS would result in a productive outcome in terms of strengthening and synergising existing capabilities, keeping in view the inter-governmental agreement on data sharing and the national policies of all the countries concerned.

"India is prepared to contribute towards the establishment of this important framework through strengthening of its infrastructure in the region," Bansal said.

He emphasised the need for the world community to place major emphasis on generation of improved seasonal and decadal forecasts along with long term projections of climate change, extreme climate and their impact on various socio-economic sectors such as water resources, agriculture, health, ecosystems and coastal areas.

The GFCS is designed to strengthen the production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate monitoring and prediction services.

The goal of the GFCS is to enable better management of the risks of climate variability and change at all levels, through development and incorporation of science-based climate information and prediction services into planning, policy and practice.

He pointed out that India had set up a joint Indo-African fund and was initiating a program on agro advisory services in Africa which included transfer of knowhow for establishment of such a system.

"I may mention that in India, two million farmers are utilising weather service which has helped them improve agricultural practices," he said.