NEW DELHI, April 13: The Centre proposes to introduce an "environment audit" system making corporate green rating compulsory as part of its drive to protect the environment.This was disclosed by Union Environment and Forests Minister Suresh Prabhu while inaugurating a four-day international multi-sectoral environment exhibition, conference and film festival at Pragati Maidan on Tuesday. The Center is keen to introduce comprehensive legislation to protect the environment. One such legislation stipulated the method of disposal of municipal solid wastes. A five-point mission for "clean water, air, sound, sanitation and plantations for compliance by one and all" is in the pipeline.
The corporate sector had to henceforth obtain annual certification from environment auditors who would green rate the sector. Bodies violating emission norms would face stringent action, the Minister warned. India would go the China way and encourage bamboo cultivation and use of the material in housing and handicrafts. China wasearning more than six billion dollars through export of bamboo handicrafts, Prabhu said.
Expressing concern over pollution through flyash around thermal power stations, Prabhu said the country was utilising only a third of the 60 million tonnes of generated flyash for brick and cement manufacturing.
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