A report released by the environmental NGO Greenpeace claims that many Indian MNCs, which operate in food and cosmetics, are responsible for rapid deforestation in Indonesia.
Indonesia is the largest producer of palm oil in
the world, and India being the single largest importer and consumer of palm oil, has reportedly caused rampant deforestation of river forest and peatland in Indonesia.
According to the Greenpeace activists, the way forward is to use mechanism of tariff allowing incentives to exporting companies, which follow sustainable production of palm oil in Indonesia, and Indian companies trading with them primarily.
The report titled “Frying the Forest” highlights recent forest and peatland clearing by Duta Palma in the Riau province of Indonesia. “Duta Palma is a supplier to the Indian market and its oil has been bought by Ruchi Soya, who in turn supplies to companies such as ITC, Parle and Britannia.”
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Sir creek talks fail to make any headway
Age Correspondent
NEW DELHI, JUNE 19
Even as the 12-round of talks on Sir Creek held between India and Pakistan failed to make any headway on Tuesday, all eyes in New Delhi are now on the situation unfolding in its neighbourhood after the Pak Supreme Court declared Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ineligible to hold office.
However, India and Pakistan have resolved to find an “amicable solution” to the Sir Creek dispute.
Along with the talks, an anxious and concerned New Delhi was also closely following the developments in Pakistan on Tuesday in the wake of Mr Gilani’s disqualification. It is expected that Mr Gilani’s disqualification will once again set off political turmoil in Pakistan.
While the Sir Creek talks held over two days beginning on Monday were conducted in a “friendly and cordial atmosphere”, a resolution of the dispute over the land boundary in the Sir Creek area and delimitation of the International Maritime Boundary between India and Pakistan remains some distance away.