Political establishment should be aware of environmental issues: Jairam Ramesh

MUMBAI - Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Saturday, said the political establishment of the country needs to be more educated and aware about issues concerning environment.

On the sidelines of a conference on ‘Climate Change’, Ramesh said, “I think it’s our political establishment that needs to be educated about the value of environment. The rapidity and the greed with which we want to destroy our biodiversity in the name of economic growth is what needs re-education.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who also spoke on the occasion, said that the State Government is planning to impose a ban on cutting of trees in certain specific regions.

“The forest cover has come down to an alarming level. So we are seriously thinking. I have asked the forest department to prepare a plan where we will totally ban the cutting of trees in certain areas,” said Chavan.

Jairam Ramesh also announced that Maharashtra over the next five years would get a sanction of 6.80 billion rupees for eco-friendly projects such as cleaning of rivers and lakes, afforestation drive etc. (ANI)