New Delhi: Environment Minister Jairam
Ramesh on Tuesday said the green nod to Navi Mumbai airport project was given after ensuring that the ecological sensitive areas are quarantined.
"It was possible to find the middle path because the
ecological devastation were contained by shifting
non-aeronautical facilities such as hotels and shopping malls.
"We had to quarantine the ecological sensitive areas
and find the middle path," Ramesh said at a question-answer
session during the 5th Sustainability Summit.
Amid allegations that he was delaying coal mining and
power projects at the cost of the development, the Minister
said, "But what can you do in a coal mine that is located bang
in the middle of India`s thickest forest and the moment you
open that forest...it trigger a chain-reaction."
The Minister was referring to the issue of impact on
flora and fauna of the region.
Ramesh said "at that point the state has to take a
call and say look I am not going to allow the use of this
forest areas for mining...."
PTI
