Centre will soften, redefine environmental norms: Prakash Javadekar

Stressing that environment and progress can supplement each other, environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday spoke of softening and redefining of parameters to allow quarrying in rivers. Javadekar, after meeting with the Chief Minister of northern Indian state Uttrakhand, Harish Rawat, and senior state officials, also agreed to empower his ministry’s nodal officer in Dehradun for forest clearance upto five hectare forest land in 13 types of projects like road, water, electricity and others.

‘The environment minister agreed to empower the nodal officer of his Ministry in Dehradun for forest clearance upto 5 hectare forest land in 13 types of projects like road, water, electricity etc. ‘The minister also assured to consider releasing 1,200 crore rupees under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority,’ the ministry said.