Development and environment protection can go hand-in-hand and there was no need to create a conflict between the two, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday.
"Environment protection is a way of life for Indians. Don't create a fight between development and environment protection. Both can be done together," Javadekar said in the Lok Sabha.
"The world is appreciating India's efforts towards climate change and protecting the future generation from its effects," he said here, discussing demands for grants of his ministry which were passed later.
Regarding the high level of air pollution in Delhi, Javadekar said the government has been trying to address the issue.
"The quality of air has not deteriorated in the last 10 months. We have begun action and formed a three-month action programme, which will be reviewed in July," he said.
The concerned ministries are seized of the matter of fuel efficiency and the euro norms to be followed and "let us hope for good news very soon", the environment minister said.