The Centre has said that conservation of biodiversity would be soon made criteria for environment clearance to industrial and mining projects.

Talking to the media in New Delhi, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan asserted that she would make efforts to integrate it both at the environmental as well as the forest levels.

She said conservation of biodiversity was important not only because it provides several goods and services vital for human survival but also as it is directly linked to providing livelihoods to and improving socio-economic conditions of millions of local people.

She said this contributed to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.