The Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has asked Indian industry not to consider environment as a cost or social obligation, but see it as intrinsic to business and economic growth.

Addressing members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the annual conference, Mr Ramesh said that the corporate sector needs to take environment far more seriously than in the past.

Stating that India does not have to repeat the mistake made by others such as the US by following the “grow now and pay later” model, Mr Ramesh said: “We need to look upon environment as intrinsic to business and build in environmental consideration as part of the growth process”.

The Minister stated four reasons for environmental considerations — concern for livelihood, the impact of pollution on public health resulting in rising expenditure, the importance of climate change for India, which is considered to be most vulnerable, and how to meet the needs of the growing population in a sustainable way.

Replying to a query on projects stalled on environmental grounds, Mr Ramesh said he was doing his duty by enforcing the law. “If any project is in trouble, it is because that the project has wilfully or unconsciously broken a law of the land, whether it is environmental law, forest law or coastal protection law,” he said.

“As long as the laws are there, my duty is to enforce them. If I am enforcing them selectively or arbitrarily, haul me up. But don't haul me up for enforcing the law,” Mr Ramesh said.

To another query, Mr Ramesh clarified that India would not succumb to international pressure on accepting legally binding commitment to reduce emissions. “I can assure you that we are not taking any legally binding commitments under international duress. We should take on commitments only because it is in our interest,” he said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Mr Ramesh said he has not abandoned the ‘Go, No Go policy' on classifying forest areas, but said he had suggested a ‘compromise' that could allow coal mining on more land to meet rising demand of the commodity to produce power.

“I have given a few suggestions to the Group of Ministers, for brining about a compromise. It is up to them to take a final view on the issue,” Mr Ramesh said. He added that the suggestions made by him would not be retrospective and would lead to more coal production. The Environment Ministry has classified forest areas, depending on the tree cover, into ‘Go and No Go' areas. A ban imposed on mining in ‘No Go' areas has impacted the coal output, resulting in an increased demand-supply gap.