30 Aug 2014 Hindustan Times (Delhi) Chetan Chauhan chetan@hindustantimes.com

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NEW DELHI: The government is under attack for going on a project-clearing spree, including field trials of genetically modified (GM) crops, without paying much heed to protection of green spaces.

Prakash Javadekar, the minister for environment, forest and climate change, in an interview to HT, says the government’s effort is improve environment without compromising on economic growth.

Excerpts:

There is a perception that your ministry has become a project clearance house without much regard for environment protection.

No, that is not correct. Delay is out and decision making is in. We are deciding on projects based on environmental considerations. In last three months, we have taken major policy initiatives to protect environment vigorously. We have upgraded benchmark for emissions for cement industry — a major polluting industry. We have mandated all polluting industries to put up sensors that will count the affluent at discharge point from the factories. We have created new sanctuaries and have introduced protocol for taking care of orphan tiger cubs.

The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife cleared 140 projects in one meeting. What was the reason?

All the projects were held over for a long time. Not a single new project passing through a wildlife area was approved. A road in Kutch to Pakistan border and fencing on Bangladesh were delayed as no decision was taken. There was a proposal to have a detour of 100 km for a 16-km-long road as it was passing around 24 km away from the flamingo sanctuary in Gujarat. We have to protect flamingos but that cannot be at a cost of nation’s defence. Earlier the standing committee had opposed these projects. We have gone through the proposal and found the opposition was incorrect.

‘Will protect flamingos, but not at the cost of nation’s defense’

On the Bangladesh border, the bird sanctuary came after the road was proposed and now they (environmentalists) say the road will pass through eco-sensitive zone of the sanctuary. That was not right, we cannot play with nation’s security.

You have reduced the number of independent members in the standing committee.

There is a difference between the standing committee and the National Wildlife Board. We will have a more expanded team on the board.

You are in favour of allowing field trials of GM crops. What are the reasons?

The GM crop safety is a sensitive issue. We have not reached that stage now. The crops are yet to be released for commercial use. It will take another ten years. The Supreme Court committee and other scientific committees are working on safety. We cannot stop science. Confined research has to be allowed.