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India and US renew environment agreement

on april 2, 2007, India and the us renewed an agreement to collaborate on environmental efforts in India over the next five years. The Union ministry of environment and forests (moef) and the us Environment Protection Agency (epa) signed a memorandum of understanding to this effect in New Delhi.

The agreement aims to establish a framework for policy and technical cooperation between moef and epa. It will look at quality management of air and water, toxic chemicals, hazardous waste and environmental governance. "Renewing this deal strengthens our relations with India to continue to accelerate the pace of environmental progress in our nations,' said Stephen L Johnson, epa administrator. The collaboration is part of the us-India economic dialogue that began in January 2002.

The deal will involve private sector in capturing methane emissions from landfills, coalmines, and petroleum and natural gas. A mercury-working group has also been established to check the excessive mercury use in India. " epa will share its experiences of reducing mercury contamination from the environment with India,' said Johnson.

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