GUWAHATI, July 9 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today acknowledged the need for a comprehensive water and climate policy for Assam describing it as important for the interest of the State that is largely agricultural and has rich biodiversity.
Responding to a question from this correspondent during a press meet at Dispur, Gogoi said that a policy on water and climate change was �important for sustainable development� of the region that possessed abundant water resources, and added that the time has arrived for embracing a green economy for long term development.
In this context he said that the Water Mission was also important, and his government was committed to an approach that recognised the importance of a nature�based economy. He endorsed the idea of Naturenomics, adding that steps are being taken to protect the natural environment through initiatives like protection of hills.
Significantly he stated that high level consultations were also going on with various scientists and institutions to address environmental concerns in the State. Highly regarded engineers from IIT Roorkee and institutions in Germany and USA were also being consulted to find solutions to problems like floods and erosion, he noted.
