CB Bureau‘The regulatory framework for environmental clearance of development projects needs urgent streamlining and reform. The environment cannot be protected by perpetuating poverty,’ said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Singh added that the central government will soon set up an independent regulatory body, the National Environment Appraisal and Monitoring Authority. It is expected that the authority’s work will be based on science and clear-cut norms and that the institution will not regress to the opaque and hated license-permit raj of the pre-reform days.
The prime minister reiterated that the way ahead is to have inbuilt predictability in the whole process of environmental vetting and clearance, based on sound guidelines and standards. What is essential is that environmental approval should underscore the principle of sustainable development, with a vision that is forward-looking.
The authority is expected to make approvals and objections transparent, and clear applications in a time-bound manner with ample provision for course correction in project implementation. The authority will also see if proposals requiring forest clearance or additional effluent treatment can be made good with afforestation and other attendant measures. As an autonomous body of professionals, the proposed body for environment appraisals and monitoring is expected to mark a major institutional improvement.
At present, the environment ministry both vets and approves projects. Ministers and appointed justices analyse, inspect, and look into the applications of large projects of industries requiring clearances ranging from development on forest lands to clearing wastes into rivers, to operating in proximity of biodiversity.
Caricature by Nilesh Jhadav; http://jadhacv.blogspot.com