Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh plans to put science at the centre of his ministry.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, he said that the environment ministry started as a scientific ministry but lost its scientific focus. He said five new initiatives have been planned to ensure science is brought back into the ministry’s work.

A National Environmental Sciences Fellows Programme (NESFP) will provide 10 fellowships for post-doctoral work in the field of environment, he said. Another initiative is a Global Advisory Network Group on Environmental Sciences (GANGES). “Twelve scientists from around the world will advise the government of India and the ministry on issues related to environment,” said Ramesh.

The minister said that the training of IFS officers to strengthen the basis of forestry science is also being taken up. “Many of the forest officers will be training with Yale University,” he said. The Indian Network for Climate Change assessment (INCCA) is the Indian version of IPCC, he said. “Indian is offering institutional support to the IPCC. We will take responsibility of studying impact of climate change on the monsoon here,” said Ramesh.