What led to the constitution of a Working Group on Environment (WGE)?
The planning board wanted to move with the times. The Kerala government had a science and technology and environment department since 1987. But the V S Achutanandan government has made environment an independent department. Since the government wanted a roadmap for the functioning of the department, the WGE had to be set up.

You have selected certain areas as priority-areas that need immediate attention. What was the basis of doing so?
There have been no authentic studies carried out by any government-appointed body in top-priority areas such as Plachimada, Periyar and Kasargod. By authentic, I mean studies that would force the government to act immediately.

How far do you think will the