India should take into account natural resources spent: Ramesh

"There is a need to taken into account natural resources as well so that we know how much are we consuming them and how they are effecting our economy," Ramesh said after releasing a study 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity' prepared by Germany and the European Commission.

The report, which is likely to be part of the negotiations at the Copenhagen meet on climate change in December, highlights the economics of biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems because of global warming and the advantages in protecting the ecology.
Ramesh pointed out that natural resources were not taken into account in the planning process due to questions over methodology.

He, however, agreed with the study that natural resources need to be accounted for and depreciated as they are used, just as physical resources, such as a computer or a car, do.
Ramesh underscored the importance of natural resources in the backdrop of climate change threats and said India's forests capture 10 per cent of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted in the country.

The Union Minister also spoke about the REDD Plus (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) proposed at the Copenhagen summit seeking recognition and reward on carbon capture and storage by forests.