New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Jayanthi Natarajan, the new environment minister who assumed charge Wednesday, lauded the work of the ministry - previously headed by Jairam Ramesh - and said she will work to give priority to environmental concerns.

"I am aware of the spectacular work done by this ministry and it's crucial and of absolute vital importance. This is a large ministry dealing with various subjects from Ganges to animal's welfare, forests and pollution," an official statement quoting Natarajan said.

"I am determined to do work for national welfare. The future of the country depends on the work we do here and we will give priority to environmental concerns," she added.

According to the statement, Natarajan had a meeting with all the senior officers of the ministry including scientists and forest officers and reviewed the status of various programmes relating to environment and forest clearances, like Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), National Green Tribunal and the like.