Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan Thursday expressed a strong need for a new airport in Mumbai contending that a balance has to be maintained between the 'concerns of environment conservation with the exigencies of development'.

Referring to the need for a new airport in Mumbai, the governor said: 'Mumbai needs a new airport. We have to take up this matter urgently.'

Departing from his prepared speech, the governor justified his stand saying that 'the fuel burnt by the aeroplanes hovering over the skies of Mumbai while waiting for permission to land also causes damage to environment'.

The governor was speaking at the release of a coffee table book 'Wildscapes' brought out by MP and Chairman of Lokmat Group Vijay Darda at Raj Bhavan.

The book contains photographs of wildlife and environment shot by well-known wildlife photographer Baiju Patil.

'Apart from administrative and legislative effort to protect the environment, we also need to inculcate the feeling of spiritual reverence towards plants and animals, particularly among the children,' Sankaranarayanan said.

Also present at the event were union Minister of Civil Aviation Praful Patel, Maharashtra Minister of Industries Rajendra Darda and Chairman of Reliance Group Mukesh Ambani.

Ambani presented the first few copies of the book to young children from the Darda family.