Biodiversity Act not a liability: Forest Minister to industry

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 18

Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat has called upon the industry to look at the Biodiversity Act as an opportunity to sustain the business resources for the future generations rather than liability. 

The minister was addressing a programme on biodiversity Act organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dehradun. 

Harak Singh Rawat said Uttarakhand was blessed with immense natural wealth and stressed the importance to safeguard its ecology. 

He asserted that the industry too had a big responsibility towards safeguarding the ecology and called upon the industry not to look upon the Biodiversity Act as liability. 

Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board member secretary SS Rasaily asserted that the spirit of the Act was not to incur any additional taxes or cess but meant to ensure that the bio-recourse is available in future as well to sustain their business.

“We do not have any intention to force the Act on the industry but we welcome the industry to have a dialogue with us and participate as per their convenience,” he added. 

He said the state biodiversity board had constituted around 900 community members groups as Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) for access and benefit sharing of the resources in the state. 

Earlier, making introductory remarks, Anil Taneja, Regional Director of the state chapter of the chamber, stated that there was need to present this Act as an opportunity to the industry. 

Co-Chairman of the chamber Virendra Kalra stated that the chamber was committed to seeking clarifications on any ambiguities perceived by the industry in the implementation procedures of the biodiversity board.