Environmental Clearance

NGT passes orders on slew of environmental issues, penalises states in 2022

The National Green Tribunal dealt with a range of environmental issues in 2022 and passed several directions, including imposing hefty penalties on multiple states for causing damage to the environment and seeking restitution. The green tribunal cracked down on several states and union territories for non-compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW) Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. For lack of proper management of solid and liquid waste, the tribunal ordered the Maharashtra government to pay an environmental compensation of a staggering Rs 12,000 crore and Rs 3,800 crore on the Telangana government. Also at the receiving end of its stiff penalties to tackle environmental damage were West Bengal, which was asked to cough up Rs 3,500 crore, Rajasthan Rs 3,000 crore, Karnataka Rs 2,900 crore, Punjab Rs 2,180 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs 100 crore. It also slapped fines of Rs 200 crore on the Nagaland government, Rs 50 crore on the Mizoram government and Rs 32 crore

Huge impact of CAs on businesses can save the world: Julia Penny of ICAEW

In a Q&A, the head of the apex body of chartered accountants in the UK discusses the challenge of sustainability and other issues her tribe faces across the globe

Ganga waterway environmental clearance delayed 14 times. Here's why

As on date, inland waterways are not included in the list of projects that require prior environmental clearance

Industry need not be shut over lack of prior green nod: Supreme Court

An industry contributing to country's economy and providing livelihood need not be shut only on grounds of technical irregularity of not obtaining prior environmental clearance, the Supreme Court said

Our broken system of clearances

The EIA has become a convoluted exercise, designed for futility

Rating states on faster green approvals may weaken environmental safeguards

The star rating system is the latest in a series of orders passed by the ministry that seeks to subvert the intent behind environment clearance, which is to protect the environment

DMRC flouted environmental norms during Phase III implementation: CAG

DMRC failed to adhere to various environmental requirements during the implementation of its Phase-III project, a report by the CAG of India said.

Tree transplantation in cities have no method; doesn't help green cover

With poor transplanting methods and shoddy aftercare, trees stand a poor chance of survival, show examples from across India

SAIL spend on mines infructuous; laxity high in safety measures: CAG report

State-owned firm neither applied technical due diligence nor did techno-commercial study to assess viability before allotment of its two captive coal blocks, says report

Expert panel recommends granting environment clearance to Central Vista

With the expert panel's recommendations, the project comes a step closer to getting the environment clearance (EC), to be given by the Union Environment Minister

Ship recycling at Alang Sosiya: NGT asks project proponent to ensure process is environment friendly

National Green Tribunal has refused to interfere in the grant of Environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance by the Environment Ministry for upgrade of existing ship recycling yard at Alang

JNPT says it is adhering to all green norms for Vadhavan port development

The country's leading container port JNPT on Saturday said it is adhering to the terms of reference issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for prior environmental clearance for development of Vadhavan port. The government had in February approved a proposal to set up a new major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra at an investment of Rs 65,544 crore. The new port will be developed on a landlord model under a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) as the lead partner with equity participation equal to or more than 50 per cent to implement the project. Of this,Rs 16,140 crores will be implemented by the SPV in constructing basic infrastructure like breakwaters, rail line/yard and road connectivity, power and water line, internal roads and common amenities, as per JNPT. At present, JNPT and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) are development partners for the prospective port with JNPT holding 74 per cent and MMB the ...

Repeated amendments to land diversion laws threatening forests, people

There are no guidelines for what kinds of forests should be nurtured on land taken up for compensatory afforestation

Draft EIA notification to streamline environmental clearance process: FIMI

Miners' body FIMI has welcomed the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, and said that it will help to streamline and rationalise the environmental clearance process. In a letter to Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) Secretary General R K Sharma said "we believe the draft Notification is a welcome step towards streamlining and rationalising the environmental clearance process, improve objectivity and transparency along with stakeholder participation." FIMI further said it is a welcome step for the mining sector and the streamlined process in the draft EIA Notification, 2020 will attract major investments, reduce imports and create multiple livelihood opportunities in the country, along with necessary environmental protection and effective monitoring mechanism. The draft EIA notification was issued by the environment ministry in March and public suggestions were invited. The present EIA Notification, ...

UPA was criticised for being too restrictive in giving green nods: Manmohan

Former PM Manmohan Singh said the UPA government under him was very selective in allowing projects that impacted the wilderness and wildlife habitat, and was criticised for being "too restrictive"

500 academicians, scientists write to MoEFCC for withdrawal of EIA 2020

As many as 500 academicians, scientists from various institutes have urged the environment ministry to withdraw the controversial draft EIA 2020 and strengthen the existing EIA 2006 notification

Plea for 60 days to respond to translated EIA 2020: HC seeks Govt stand

Delhi HC sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking 60-day extension for receiving public comments on the translated versions of the draft EIA after they are uploaded on respective SPCB websites

Gujarat govt to restart ship-breaking yard at Sachana after clearances

Gujarat government has decided to restart the state's second ship-breaking yard at Sachana after having resolved issues pertaining to its environmental clearances, an official said

Red signals on green norms: Controversy over draft EIA notification

The controversy over the draft rules for environment clearances has created more heat than light

EIA receives 2 million comments, Centre directs its own agency to vet

Feedback mostly to roll back EIA process, several MPs protest too