New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS): A day after the nation paid tributes to former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on his 84th birth anniversary, the union environment ministry on Friday announced the launch of post-doctoral research fellowships in his name.

"The programme of the ministry is targeted towards young scientists working in the area of environment and ecology in the country," an official statement said.

Kalam was firmly convinced that science and technology would offer solutions to the pressing challenges facing the country, including those of environmental protection and sustainable development, the statement said.

"Dr. Kalam had on various occasions, fervently stood for the cause of protection of environment and conservation, so that future generations can have a better tomorrow," it added.

The advertisement, calling for applications for the programme, would be brought out soon and the guidelines for it would be uploaded on the ministry's website.