KOCHI: The development and environmental protection should go hand in hand to attain the goal of a better society, said Fisheries Minister S Sarma.
Presenting the Jaiji Peter Foundation Award to environmentalist John Peruvanthanam here on Sunday, Sarma said that both the development disregarding the environmental issues and the environmental protection which gives no room for development were not desirable.
A systematic and scientific study should be conducted on how to blend developmental and environmental protection judiciously, Sarma said.
Media should play an important role in environmental protection and development, he said.
Delivering the keynote address at the function, Kalady Sanskrit University former vice-chancellor K S Radhakrishnan said that moral values should be the guiding force behind the media.
Jaiji Peter Foundation chairman P O Philip presided over the function.
Ernakulam Press Club secretary P N Venugopal offered felicitations.
K V Sudhakaran, president of the Foundation, welcomed the meeting.
Secretary Babu Peter proposed a vote of thanks.