(correcting ship name in sixth para, line two)

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) The environment activist who scaled and occupied the mast of the Clemenceau on December 12 last year for 22 hours, when the decommissioned ship with hazardous waste on board destined for India was berthed in the harbour in Toulon, France has been summoned to appear in a French military court on May 15.

The court has charged the activist, Imran (25), with trespassing and illegally entering a military area.

He is associated with NGO Greenpeace fighting for protecting and conserving the environment "I did it because it incensed me that the French would dump hazardous wastes on India. I did highlight the injustice that was going to happen and feel great that the protest triggered a series of events and media attention that finally led not only to the Clemenceau being called back, but also to a global debate on waste trade,'' said Imran who leaves for Toulon on May 12 to face charges.

Greenpeace said here that the French action has only strengthened their resolve to continue to keep vigil till the government in India was awaken to the problem.

After forcing Clemanceau to go back, Greenpeace have now launched a campign against another ship SS Norway with highly toxic material heading for Alang port in Western India for dismantling.

The environmental watchdog yesterday charged the Ministry of Environment and Forests, (MoEF) with abysmal failure to ensure the safety of the environment and protection of workers in Alang and to support and push the ship breaking industry towards sustainable solutions in the last three months since the Clemenceau went back.

UNI NAZ VD DS1222