New Delhi, March 26: Under attack for delays in project clearances, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh today tried to strike a balance between development and protecting forests and made a detailed presentation before the Cabinet in this regard.
Ramesh is understood to have briefed the Cabinet on the plan prepared by the Planning Commission to allow faster clearances to developmental projects in the country.
The minister pointed out that his ministry was taking steps to protect the country’s ecological security without compromising economic growth, for instance in mining, and areas were identified where coal mining can be undertaken and where it cannot be allowed, according to sources.
Ramesh told the meeting that the ministry has identified “go” areas and “no-go” areas and gave the example of north Karanpura region in Jharkhand, where 38 out of the 59 mines have been classified as “go-areas”, sources said.
He said these forests have low tree density and coal mining can be done there.
The presentation before the Cabinet was being seen as part of his efforts to take members into confidence and garner support for his ministry’s decision to block projects having negative environmental impacts.
Ramesh also emphasised that as environment minister he wanted to ensure that the central legislations — the Forest Conservation Act and the Environment Protection Act — were properly implemented, sources said.
Surface Transport Minister Kamal Nath, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Water Resources Minister Pawan Bansal have reportedly complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the environment ministry was delaying projects without reasons.
–PTI