Tuesday, February 15, 2011

India's environment minister

'Green hurdles for 16 coal blocks cleared'

Jairam Ramesh's new approach: Yes, but...


It's tough to protect the environment when the country is trying to grow and the pressures of industry and development fall on you, seeking a bending or breaking of the rules that you were appointed to uphold. So in a few articles about Jairam Ramesh (nicknamed "Dr. No" -- I like that), the balancing act that he has to follow is illustrated. He indicated that there's no way that India can get back to 1/3 forest cover over the whole subcontinent, and what really needs to be done is to preserve the quality of the forest that is left. He indicated that for a few reasons, he can approve some coal projects.

But he does seem to have his head in the right place, because he said:

India, whose economy is expected to grow by 8.6 percent in the current fiscal year, must ensure that its growth "is ecologically sustainable," Ramesh told a gathering of foreign journalists late Monday.

"The time has come for India to make tough choices," said Ramesh, whose ministry was seen as little more than a rubber stamp for industrial projects before he took over the portfolio.

The country "cannot pollute its way to prosperity," Ramesh said.

"All I am doing is enforcing the laws of the land."

Admirable sentiments for a man stuck between a rock and a hard place, with all the advantages on the side of the rock.

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