Govt committed towards balanced approach to nuclear programmes: Jairam

On World Environment Day today, the central government said it was committed to a “balanced approach” on its nuclear and other power programmes.

“A balanced approach is one where both environmental and developmental issues are not affected,” said Union minister for environment and forests, Jairam Ramesh, at a series of functions here. He also released a United Nations Environment Programme report on ‘Forests in a green economy’.

In this regard, he noted that while Germany wanted to scrap its nuclear programme, 70 per cent of power requirements still come from nuclear power in neighbouring France.

With the rise in economic growth and population, Ramesh said the energy needs of the country are bound to grow.

However, he said, sometimes hard decisions like the scrapping of the Loharinag Pala and other hydel projects in Uttarakhand were taken because of heightened environmental issues. However, his ministry had given environmental permission to the Vishnu Peepalkoti project, with a pledge to maintain 16 cumecs of water flow in the Alaknanda river. Ramesh said under the Green India Mission, he would focus on protecting the 21 per cent forest cover in India. He added his ministry was not in favour of making carbon disclosures mandatory for companies. “In India, companies have already started disclosing carbon emissions. This process will grow through peer competition.”

He said the Centre was committed to implement the 135 km eco-sensitive zone from Gangotri to Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand.