Synergy between environment protection and development vital: Javadekar

A synergy between the parameters of environment protection and development is "extremely vital" for balanced sustainable development, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said Saturday.

A statement from the ministry of environment and forests said that Javadekar hoped that such a synergy would enable achieving the "Clean India, Green India" mission.

Javadekar said that people's participation was a prerequisite to address the challenges facing the environment. He was speaking at the fourth Foundation Day celebrations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) here.

He said: "The need of the hour is also to understand issues in a proper perspective and provide practical solutions to problems."

The minister added: "The policy initiatives being undertaken focus on timelines, transparency and accountability. Monitoring processes are being put in place to ensure a comprehensive institutional mechanism to address issues."

Javadekar also reiterated the role and relevance of the NGT in the current context, saying it had provided an institutional mechanism and framework to address the needs and concerns pertaining to the environment.

He touched upon the recent initiatives undertaken by the government for the environment.

A specific reference was made to the initiatives undertaken Friday regarding the National Air Quality Index, government proposals on climate change during the budget and measures pertaining to cleaning of the Ganga and the Himalayan protection initiative.