Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily took additional charge of the environment ministry Tuesday, and said there will be no compromise on environmental issues.

 

 Moily was given the additional charge of the ministry of environment and forests after Jayanthi Natarajan resigned Dec 21.

 

 "There will be no compromise (on the green image), we will have to maintain that. I don't want to compromise on the basic principles… the benchmark of this ministry," Moily told the media.

 

 "There is space for everyone… environment, wildlife and mankind," he added.

 

 "There are already set rules and laws laid down, and we need to perform the duty of the regulator. The rules of the game will have to be strictly followed." Natarajan's resignation triggered speculation that more ministers may follow suit to take up new roles in a likely party rejig ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.