Enhanced penalty to nail green offenders

To
ensure better implementation of environmental regulations in the country, the government
is considering enhancing the penalty and having speedy trials to nail green
offenders.

To check violations at coastal
areas, they might be monitored through satellites.

Seeking an amendment in Environment Protection (EP)
Act 1986, a draft paper envisaging such stringent rules is being prepared by a
panel set up to examine the issues relating to monitoring compliance with environmental clearance conditions.

The draft will soon
be available for public opinion. It
deals with the existing regulatory regime and the present system of monitoring,
its limitations and the proposed new approach to monitoring which envisages
amendment in the EP Act, which in its present form has failed to deter companies
from blatantly violating the norms.

Picture: redgreenandblue.org