The launch programme was held under the auspices of Earthwatch Institute of London, Indian Institute of Science of Bangalore and HSBC.

N.H. Ravindranath of IISc, who spoke on “Changing Climate, global challenges, local solutions”, said that Sirsi town in the Western Ghats would become one of the five hubs of global climate change research centres. (The other four centres are located in South Africa, Latin America, Europe and China.)

Forest ecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change and the impact on bio-diversity is irreversible. There is a need for long-term monitoring and adaptation to climate change in biodiversity rich regions such as the Western Ghats, he said.

The changes that have occurred in the natural forests in the past 20 years are causing global warming.

If global warming is not brought under control, there will be adverse effects on the life conditions on the globe. Scientists and research follows are engaged in a study, funded by HSBC, on the impact of global warming, he said and added that study report will be available within five years on the Internet.

Mr. Ravindranath said that in Uttara Kannada district 18 spots have been identified for the study.

They include dense forests, degraded forests, valleys, plantations and deciduous forests.

Anant Asisar, president of the Western Ghats Task Force and chief guest, said that IRCC was needed to get scientific information to create awareness among the public.

The State Government has planned to hold a scientists convention at Sirsi in January, he said.

Vice-President of Earthwatch Institute James Campbell, Earthwatch’s IRCC director Munnawar Alam Khalid, Kanara Circle Conservator of Forest Subhas Malkhed and Conservator of Forests Jagmohan Sharma spoke.

Hannah and Prashant Mahajan of IRCC conducted the programme. Prabhakar Bhat of IISc, who welcomed the gathering, spoke on the special features of forests of Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada district.