The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests is not a stumbling block to development works or projects. It is only discharging its duties in protecting the environment, Union Minister for Forests and Environment Jayanthi Natarajan said here on Thursday. The Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a Tree Growers' Mela organised by the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) that her Ministry had the mandate to protect ecology and ensure “pure water and pollution free air” to the people. Ms. Natarajan said the Ministry was working on a timeframe for clearing applications for No Objection Certificates, clearance for new projects or other development works within the reserve forest areas. No paper was kept pending. She also expressed concern at incomplete applications. In fact, the application process and procedures had been simplified in recent times, she said. At present, the Ministry had only 12 applications under consideration, she said. To a query on declaring Sathyamangalam Forests as a Tiger Reserve, Ms. Natarajan said the Centre had written to the State Government and the proposal was being discussed. The Ministry was focusing on conservation of giant squirrel population across the country and to prevent pollution along rivers in Tamil Nadu. Ms. Natarajan said the country had already achieved 23 per cent green cover as against the objective of 33 per cent. The Ministry was confident of achieving the 33 per cent mark, with the roping in of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme work force. The success rate so far varied with the initiative in various States. The Minister refuted charges of Indian Forest Service officers going through career stagnation and affected by various anomalies. She asserted that the vibrant force had many career options with formation of various task forces. On the Non-Conventional Energy Ministry's proposal to have windmills in forest areas, the Minister said she was yet to receive any such communication from her cabinet colleague. However, wind energy was green energy and caused no pollution. But, the space required and the likely effect on wildlife would have to be studied as part of the impact assessment, before giving any approval to such initiatives. Casuarinas for farmers Earlier, addressing the farmers at the Tree Growers Mela, Ms. Natarajan announced that the IFGTB with the help of the Rs.1 crore funding from the Ministry would provide 15 lakh seeds/seedlings of casuarinas to farmers in Villuppuram and Cuddalore districts and Puducherry that were recently hit by cyclone Thane. She said casuarinas would be a major crop for income generation for farmers in the Thane-hit region. They were used for pulp for paper industry, scaffolding during construction and as fuel wood.