Javadekar calls for cooperation to protect environment

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar Thursday called for "collective partnership of all stake holders" to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

Speaking on the occasion of World Environment Day, Javadekar said: "The collective partnership of all stake holders is necessary to mainstream the essence of sustainable development and ensure the protection of environment".

"For this purpose earlier in the day saplings have been sent to all parliamentarians so as to evoke a positive response from them," said the minister with independent charge of the ministry.

Javadekar credited the "vision" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi behind the decision to change the nomenclature of the ministry to "Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change". It was earlier known as the ministry of Environment and Forests.

"The change is a deep thought initiative taking into account the contemporary trends related to issues pertaining to climate change," said the minister.

Javadekar assured that the country will play a "proactive" role in the international foray on issues related to environment.

In a bid to ensure greater transparency in the functioning of the ministry, Javadekar said, "New system for online submission of applications for environmental clearances will be operational from today (Thursday)."

"No applications would be entertained for clearances through any route except for online method from July 1, 2014," he added.

He emphasised upon the need to clean water bodies, improve the air quality and tackle issues related to solid waste management.

He said that the ministry was planning to crowd-source the designing of government advertisements, with rewards for best designs.

A special poster on the islands and coastal areas of India was released on the occasion by the minister. This year the theme for World Environment Day is "Small Island Developing States", the ministry said in a statement.

He also released books and reports related to the environment and gave away the award for the "Young Environmentalist of the Year".

The key note address was delivered by well-known scientist M.S. Swaminathan who was the guest of honour at the function.