NEW DELHI, APRIL 6:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the world to ease restrictions for India on import of nuclear fuel, so that India could also produce clean nuclear energy in a big way.

Inaugurating the Conference of State Environment and Forest Ministers in New Delhi on Monday, he said India, which has a long tradition of living in harmony with nature, should lead the global fight against climate change.

‘Respect for nature’

But, India’s culture of respecting and loving nature has not been sufficiently projected on the global arena, and the country is occasionally perceived to be a barrier in the fight against climate change.

He said development and environment protection can go hand in hand, but there are serious misconceptions being spread in this regard. Giving the example of the Land Acquisition Bill, he said the provisions of the Bill do not touch tribal and forest land.

“…People who lack knowledge run this (campaign) 24 hours. They do not know,” Modi said adding that there are efforts to mislead society on the issue. “For you it may be a small issue, a matter of your political principles, but do realise how much it will hurt the country,” he said.

He urged people to desist from spreading such lies and said these attempts to misguide society are harming the nation.

Debate welcome

“A debate based on facts and truth is welcome. After all it is a democracy. But when truth lacks weight, you spread lies. A country is not run like this,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remark has come against the backdrop of the government trying to build a consensus on the Land Bill in the Rajya Sabha where the NDA lacks numbers. Just last week, the Centre re-promulgated Land Ordinance as it failed to get the Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha during the recently concluded first phase of the Budget session.

Modi said that his Government is focusing on clean energy generation in a big way, through solar radiation, wind and biomass.

Indians have always conserved nature, and even today, have among the lowest per-capita carbon emission, globally.

He said the way forward is not just restrictions, but changing lifestyles. He said the culture of recycle and re-use is not new for India. Instead of being forced to follow parameters laid down by others, India should lead the world in the fight against climate change, he added.

Earlier, he released a ‘Standard Terms of Reference for Environment Impact Analysis’, which is expected to contribute to ease of doing business. The Prime Minister also launched a National Air Quality Index, which will monitor the quality of air in major urban centres across the country on a real-time basis.