New Delhi, July 12 (IANS) Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan Tuesday said that her ministry was the cornerstone of sustainable development and commended her predecessor Jairam Ramesh for doing an admirable job.
"I think the ministry is absolutely pivotal because for development to be sustainable, environment has to be the cornerstone," Natarajan told a news channel.
When asked about the sensitive issues of mining in forests, she said: "The specific issues, I would need to study once I get my bearings in the ministry."
Natarajan said that all her predecessors, including Ramesh, had done an admirable job.
"I believe that my predecessor as all my other colleagues before me in the council of ministers have done an admirable job," she said.
"I have an open mind for the best interests in the country," she added.