RIL, Govt join to set up marine biodiversity protection centre

The Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Mr Jairam Ramesh, today said the Government and Reliance Industries Ltd have joined hands in a public-private partnership to set up the country's first National Centre for Marine Biodiversity (NCMB) at Jamnagar for safeguarding the biodiversity of the coastal areas.

The RIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Mr Mukesh Ambani, has committed an initial contribution of Rs 10 crore to the centre. A total of Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for the next two to three years, the Minister told presspersons after the launch. But more financial resources would come in when needed.

The centre is a part of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project launched recently by the Ministry with World Bank assistance through the Society for Integrated Coastal Management, to be managed in the State by the Gujarat Ecology Commission.

The Minister said the NCMB will study marine resources and recommend steps for protecting bio-diversity and initiate research and training.

“No research institute can be run by the Government on a long-term basis. We need to create and retain young talent. Moreover, it is a part of our corporate social responsibility.”

Replying to a question, Mr Ramesh asserted that the partnership with the Government cannot be a licence to pollute.

He announced the formation of a monitoring mechanism in his Ministry to safeguard the country's first National Marine Park in the Gulf of Kutch, set up in 1980. “We can only check the upcoming industrial projects for pollution, but cannot stop the existing projects,” he added.

Without naming any industrial house, the Minister expressed concern at the potential threat posed to the fragile ecology and environment of coastal Gujarat by the country's biggest port in the private sector and the proposed cement plants in the wetlands. He said ports tend to destroy coastal mangroves, which were vital for marine life and people were dependent on the sea for their livelihood. “I am not against development, but it should not be at the cost of our environment.”

Mr Ramesh said it was clear from the agitations in various States that the people did not want development unless it also ensured environment protection. The NCBM, he said, will promote research activity in respect of the coastal and marine eco-systems of the country and would impart training and education to the youth for maintaining the ecological balance in the fragile coastal areas.

Jamnagar, a port town, was selected for the centre because of its proximity to India's only National Marine Park — spread over some 200 sq.km. in the Gulf of Kutch.

He said the Centre has allocated Rs 1,200 crore for Integrated Coastal Zone Management Projects. In the first phase, projects would be implemented in Gujarat, West Bengal and Orissa for the balanced development of the coastal regions, including improving the livelihood of the people in the coastal areas, who were a part of coastal eco-systems.