The India-United States civil nuclear deal may not be beneficial to India as the heat produced from nuclear fission might put the country's environment in danger, International Centre for Theoretical Physics director Katepalli R Srinivasan said on Saturday.

Srinivasan said instead of relying on nuclear energy, the country should look at available renewable sources of energy to meet the energy requirement.

On global warming, he said the developed countries should take a lead in reducing the carbon emission to fight it. He said China, which had been consuming a large quantity of coal for their energy requirements, should take effective steps to reduce the coal consumption.

More afforestation programmes should be taken up to reduce the effect of global warming, he said, adding, "The youth should be sensitised on gravity of the situation and importance of environment protection".

Dr Srinivasan said the ICTP, set up to provide guidance to upcoming scientists, would provide infrastructure facilities to scientists to take up research works. He said the ICTP would assist the African countries, lacking basic infrastructure, to carry out research activities.

Regretting that only a few Indian scientists approach the Centre to pursue research, he called upon the country's young scientists to join the Centre to take up research works.