New Delhi:
In an effort to study the impact of pollution and guide the government on how to handle the menace in better way, the Environment Ministry is considering to set up an air pollution research institute in the country. “We need to do some research on air pollution as we do in other fields. So, we have thought of creating a new air pollution research institute...It will provide added information to the people and to the government, which will help us in better governance,” Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said.
Prakash Javadekar shared his views while speaking at a two-day conference of Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees of all states, which was attended by their Chairmen and Member Secretaries. Stressing upon the need to organise similar conferences on a regular basis, he said that the active participation of states in capacity building is important.
“We want to hear suggestions from states. So, we will do separate conferences on air pollution, environment and forests. There will be two workshop in a year at the central level and one at a general level as an effort to build capacity.
Citing the cases filed by the ministry against five municipalities in National Green Tribunal for not complying with environment rules, Prakash Javadekar asked the states to tighten the noose around municipal corporations for non-compliance.
“We can close the industry if it does not comply. Though we have the powers to close the municipalities also, if they violate rules, but we cannot do that in public interest. So, the environment ministry has filed a complaint in the NGT against five such violating municipal bodies,” he said.
