Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh makes news quite frequently, just a few days back it was for the approval given to POSCO Steel Plant in Orissa, and a few days before that, for the approval given to Lavasa township and few days before that for pointing out the non approval to Adarsh Society and so forth.
For the "Classes", being Green is not an option, so we see their "Outrage" whenever they see a picture of mining being carried out anywhere, if they have their way all mining would come to a grinding halt immediately, but i bet they would also be the first to call the authorities to complain about load shedding if they face one. There was an outrage when Pune authorities proposed purchasing 200 Air conditioned buses to provide comfortable commuting for the public, they pointed out the would be damage to the environment, clearly, when we talk of increased carbon foot print due to air conditioning, we exclude the ones in our home and car! and just because we see pictures of mines in mainstream media we need not get into Pavlovian Outrage Mode
Of course there is a trade-off and some Environment clearances for mining and other such environment damaging activities are required to be given, but what is needed is transparency. For example, why, and using what criteria, environment clearance are denied and approved to mega projects like Navi Mumbai Airport, Posco etc. is shrouded in opacity. IMO that needs to change.
For the "Classes", being Green is not an option, so we see their "Outrage" whenever they see a picture of mining being carried out anywhere, if they have their way all mining would come to a grinding halt immediately, but i bet they would also be the first to call the authorities to complain about load shedding if they face one. There was an outrage when Pune authorities proposed purchasing 200 Air conditioned buses to provide comfortable commuting for the public, they pointed out the would be damage to the environment, clearly, when we talk of increased carbon foot print due to air conditioning, we exclude the ones in our home and car! and just because we see pictures of mines in mainstream media we need not get into Pavlovian Outrage Mode
Of course there is a trade-off and some Environment clearances for mining and other such environment damaging activities are required to be given, but what is needed is transparency. For example, why, and using what criteria, environment clearance are denied and approved to mega projects like Navi Mumbai Airport, Posco etc. is shrouded in opacity. IMO that needs to change.
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