Green Plus Growth, Please

• A riled coal ministry wants a Union cabinet go-ahead for 203 coal blocks denied permission to run for falling in areas designated as "no-go" for mining by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

 "Go" and "no-go" zones

• "Go" and "no-go" zones as demarcated by the Jairam Ramesh-led MoEF signify, respectively, forest regions allowing mining and other more ecologically sensitive zones where it's a strict no-no.

 The Debate

• Now, the issue isn't whether or not India needs to champion green causes in a big way.

For

• Environment minister Jairam Ramesh's decision to impose a blanket ban on mining in 'no-go' areas is welcome.
• It makes sense to push for a complete ban in mining in 'no-go' areas, which is just 35% of the forests under purview.
• A skewed mining policy allows states vast discretionary powers in allocation of contracts, which has led to rampant illegal mining and blatant encroachments in reserved forests.
• The reluctance of many states in implementing much-touted safeguards like monitoring and compensatory afforestation is obvious.
• Cases like the illegal mining reported in Karnataka expose the hollowness of eco-friendly rhetoric by state governments.
• In that context, it's a relief that someone's there to crack the whip.
• It is unfortunate that some view Ramesh's pro-environment stance through the grid of development alone.
• Such an opposition fails to recognise the urgent need to arrest environmental degradation, which is frequently irreversible.
• If corporations indulge in unabashed loot and state governments play footsie with them, it's incumbent on the Union ministry of environment and forests to lay down a line in the sand by declaring environmentally sensitive zones to be no-go areas.
• Corporations and state governments cannot be trusted to clean up afterwards, once you let them in.
• It's all very well to talk about a golden mean, but let the message sink in first that environmental destruction must be prevented at all costs.
• And even if mining companies go into ecologically sensitive zones with the best of intentions, sometimes the damage done to the environment and bio-diversity is irreversible.
• Not to mention that burning the coal which gets mined will further pollute the air and add to the greenhouse gases that are causing the planet to warm up.
• More expensive coal will spur the search for greener energy
• It certainly does, and Ramesh's ministry is doing a good, proactive job here.

Against

• The issue is whether, as a developing nation on a high trajectory growth path, India can afford to view environment and development as anything but mutually reinforcing categories.
• Speaking for coal-dependent sectors, the coal ministry estimates that the blocks if operating could generate an additional 1.3 lakh MW of power.
• Coal ministry feels blanket bans aren't desirable, since current statutes anyway require miners to get MoEF clearances to start rolling.
• The Planning Commission deputy chairman too has said "no-go" should be sensibly and scientifically defined.
• Flexibility is the key, which even Ramesh concedes. An area that's 'no-go' today needn't be so tomorrow, depending on future needs.
• Surely that's a sensible standpoint.
• Frequent clashes between key economic ministries - coal, power, transport, aviation or water resources - and MoEF are bad for Brand India. They suggest India can't develop without ravaging the environment, or turn ecological crusader unless at the cost of growth.

 Conclusion & Suggestions

• They also distract from the real ills besetting the politically coddled mining sector. Both industry's and environmentalists' concerns need addressing.
• But if economic good and conservation goals are to be served together, surely the two sides must meet each other half way and find a golden mean.
• It can't be green-versus-growth for India. It has to be growth plus green.