UNDP report sets alarm bells ringing in India

New Delhi: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has released its climate change report sparking off a debate over commitments demanded from developing nations like India and China.

The report makes a direct link between human development and climate change. The report says that hundreds of millions, mainly in South Asia will be hit by reduced agricultural productivity by 2080.

The report specifically mentions the impact on the Indo-Gangetic plains. It also says there will be shortage of water due to retreating glaciers in the Himalayas.

This will also increase the risk of diseases for millions in Asia and make up to a third of species existing today extinct due to rising temperature.

The human development index (HDI) of a country that determines its ranking is based on life expectancy, adult literacy and school enrolment at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, along with income.

India ranks 128 out of 177 countries in the latest HDI released by the UNDP in New Delhi on Tuesday. The country ranked 126 in 2006.

China ranks 81 in this year's index, released as part of the Human Development Report (HDR).

In South Asia, Sri Lanka (rank 99) and Maldives (100) are ahead of India, while Bhutan (133), Pakistan (136), Bangladesh (140) and Nepal (142) are behind. The data for Afghanistan was not available.

Climate Change: The Impact
	600 million to be hit by reduced agricultural productivity by 2080
	500 million in South Asia to face water shortage due to retreat of glaciers
	400 million to be affected by vector-borne diseases
	20 to 30 per cent extinction of species due to rising temperatures