Greens disappointed with Pranab

Conservationists and environmentalists are shocked at the lack of concern shown by union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee towards wildlife, forests and environment, which have great ecological, economic and social value.

Noted environmentalist and editor of Sanctuary Asia magazine, Bittu Sahgal, who had great expectations, said, "I'm disappointed but not surprised. Economists seem bent upon reinforcing their reputation for knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing."

"Last year, the FM had shown some concern by allocating Rs 200 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund ( NCEF) under the Green India Mission. But this year, there is no mention of forest and wildlife in his budget speech," remarked conservationist Prafulla Bhamburkar.

However, climate change expert Prof Nishikant Kale begs to differ. He says Pranab moved a step forward by announcing Rs 200 crore for research to develop plant and seed varieties that yield more and can resist climate change. He said Rs 100 crore has also been allocated for eco-development programme.

Kale further said, "If not much, the allocation for the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) has been slightly increased by 5% from Rs 2,491 crore last year to Rs 2,629 crore this year. The FM has also announced relief for industries in renewable energy sector."

The climate change expert said Pranab fully exempted hybrid vehicles from basic customs duty. Earlier, such vehicles costing Rs 12.5 lakh outside India used to cost Rs 30 lakh here due to high duty. The national afforestation and eco-development programme too saw an increase from Rs 253 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 342 crore this year. "We certainly hope to benefit from the above decisions," he said.

Kaustav Chatterjee, founder of environment protection NGO Green Vigil, said, "Pranab has tried to encourage solar thermal projects. The FM has fully exempted plant and equipment etc for the initial setting up of such projects from special duty." He added concessions have also been given to encourage consumption of energy-saving devices.

However, Shrikant Deshpande of Nature Conservation Association (NCA), fighting a PIL in the high court against large-scale felling by NHAI, says Pranab's efforts are too little, considering the importance of forests.

"On one hand the FM talks of solar power plants while on the other he doesn't mind allocating coal mines even in sensitive forest areas. His allocation for environment is poor when compared to highways, which are cutting into our tiger corridors," Deshpande said.

Source By : Times of india