Sibal moots law to protect nature

Advocating a legal regime to protect biodiversity within the country, Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal today said "there has to be a law which puts the onus on the industry to give back to nature what it takes from it in the process of development."

Time had come for setting up a legal regime that ensured this was done, Sibal said at a national conclave, "The role of private sector in convention on biodiversity," organised here by the CII.

The proposed law should include a clause that requires the industry to explain negative effects on the environment and the steps it is taking to minimise damages to nature.

"Since finances play a key role in most of the projects undertaken by the industry, they should be cleared with a condition that the industry will take all measures to minimise damage to nature," he said.

The minister said he was not against development but industry should take appropriate measures to ensure "we pass on a clean environment to future generations."

There was a need to ensure that economic gains did not come at the cost of permanent or long-lasting damages to the environment.