Need to adopt 'Sun, cycle, saving' mantra:Environment Minister

Known to be an avid cyclist who has often pedalled his way to Parliament, new Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave today termed cycling as the "best mode" of transport for short distances and urged the people to adopt it, especially for the health benefits.
Dave, a river conservationist who replaced Prakash Javadekar, mooted the three-point 'mantra' of "sun, cycle and saving" in the energy sector and underscored the need for research and development in the area.
"The Minister advocated cycling as the best mode of transport for short distances and cited additional health benefits as another factor for adopting it," an official statement said.

He was speaking after inaugurating a conference on clean and green transport for Delhi NCR - Alternatives and Solutions here.
The Minister stressed on the need to produce "clean and green" energy and also saving the resource.
"Solar energy is the energy of the future and Research and Development (R&D) needs to be done on it, as it will revolutionise the energy sector," he was quoted as saying.

Dave also said that energy should "not" be used carelessly as energy saved is akin to energy production while adding that individuals must lead by example in saving energy.
The minister pointed out that those involved in R&D must keep in mind the difference between success achieved in laboratories and success while implementing solutions on ground.

In a major expansion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet recently, Dave was inducted as a Minister of State and given the independent charge of Environment Ministry.
Dave, who is one of the MPs who cycle to Parliament, after taking over the Environment Ministry had said that he did not cycle to get praise or for a photo-op.
"I have done it by choice. When I was a nobody, I was using it and in future also I will do it," he had said.