Action against states violating eco norms: Union Minister of Environment and Forest.

3/2/2011

2.3.2011 (UNI) Union Minister of Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh today said the Centre will take action against those states which are found to be violating the environmental norms.
Addressing a news conference after launching India's first marine bio-diversity research centre, the National Centre for Marine Bio-diversity, with the Public Private Partnership here, he said it was a major initiative in studying marine resources and more is required to be done for bio-diversity in coastal areas for research, training and education in the field of marine life.
He said the institution can help in better regulation and monitoring of the area.
In reply to a question, the Environment Minister said the Centre will take action against those states found to be violating the norms of environment. The economic growth and progress could be maintained with environmental balance and not at the cost of environment.
In reply to another query, he said a monitoring centre would be set up in Kutch to protect the marine bio-diversity. A notification to this effect will be issued in three weeks time.
He said a detailed plan for marine bio-diversity in Gulf of Kutch will have to be submitted by anyone wanting to set up an industrial unit there.
He said the offices at Nagpur, Bangalore and Guwahati would be opened soon for tiger conservation.
Earlier, Mr Ramesh expressed surprise after learning that there was no sewage treatment plant in Jamnagar and promised the Central Government's help to set up a plant with the help of local authorities at the cost of about Rs 90 crore.
The plant will be completed in two years time, he said.
Admitting that less concentration was given to the coastal areas for the preservation of environment while going for the development of states, the Minister said most of the states have not cared about the preservation of environment in the coastal areas as the country has 7,500 km long coastal belt.
He added that the Society of Integrated Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, would allocate Rs 820 crore for three states -- Gujarat (Rs 300 crore), West Bengal (Rs 300 crore) and Orissa for the environment protection and development of the coastal areas. UNI
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