For fast environment clearances (EC), India’s environment ministry issued (Jan 2019) standard EC conditions for non-coal mining projects. Now @prakashjavadekar has asked an expert panel to make them practically implementable, monitorable & feasible & minimise number of conditions
Now, on @PrakashJavdekar direction, an expert panel of environment ministry on June 12 discussed a report of QCI (Quality Council of India)/ National Accreditation Board for Education & Training (NABET) that analysed the standard EC conditions.
The panel said that EC conditions shall be reduced to extent possible & shall be monitorable & quantifiable for effective compliance. It noted that wherever forest or wildlife issue is involved, forest & wildlife clearance "shall be in place" before project is appraised for EC.
Since 2014, Modi government’s environment ministry has come out with standard terms of reference & standard environment clearance conditions to expedite environment clearances for industrial projects as part of the government’s ease of business endeavour.
The panel also noted that conditions such as compliance with the provisions of the other Acts/Rules/Regulations/Permissions/Clearances/NoCs/Authorizations, etc “shall not be prescribed” as these compliances any way shall have to comply by the project proponents.
The panel further noted that conditions regarding mitigation measures can be avoided “IF list of quantifiable measures is available in the environment management plan as a separate chapter or part” – generally absent due to poor quality of #EIA reports.
It further said that "Impact of mining activities on habitation within 500m from the lease boundary, and action taken by project proponents for mitigation of the same needs special mention."
The chairman of expert panel advised all members of expert panel to work out the “monitorable conditions” by their next meeting based on the reference of standard conditions already existing, analysis of the QCI/NABET, learnings during the deliberations."
