Words and deeds

The statement of Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh, that the central government will not give sanction for any mining or hydro-electric project that will destroy the fragile Western Ghats eco-system is welcome. No minister before this – except Maneka Gandhi – has ever given such a categorical assurance.

The problem is that the minister’s word is not kept by the bureaucrats in his ministry. The clearances given to mines in Goa show just that. If Mr Ramesh can ensure that his word is kept by his minions, he will do wonders for western India’s ecology.

Editorial in Herald, November 24, 2009, Panaji