§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid is given to India, Bangladesh and Nepal in respect of environmental issues to prevent soil erosion and flooding.
§ Mr. EggarIn India, our forestry projects in Karnataka state promote tree planting which helps to improve degraded land. We are providing technical co-operation to the national bureau of soil survey and land use planning, one of whose roles is to help prevent environmental degradation. In Bangladesh, we have provided immediate flood relief and supported rehabilitation activities; and we are ready to play our part in any international or regional initiatives on flood alleviation which emerge from studies currently being undertaken by the United Nations and the World Bank. In Nepal, we are funding a study on the links between macroeconomic policies and environmental degradation and several projects to promote forest conservation and reafforestation. We have assisted in the production of a forestry master plan for the next 25 years.
We are keen to do more in these areas and are exploring the options with each Government.