Green NGO slams statements on environmental nod to projects

A green NGO today attacked the recent statements on the issue of environmental clearances to big ticket projects in the country and termed it as an "orchestrated campaign" to dismantle green regulatory controls.
In its statement, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) also said present system of granting clearances was not working while calling for better regulations and more effective monitoring of the projects.
The NGO said that its new assessment has found that a large number of clearances still being given by the Environment Ministry to industrial projects.
"We are very worried about the tone and tenor of the debate on green clearances. It is clear that this is an orchestrated campaign to dismantle green regulatory controls in the name of growth," CSE Director General Sunita Narain said in the statement.

"Our assessment shows while countless projects have been given environmental clearance, they have not been implemented. The problem lies elsewhere. We need to reform and strengthen green clearances to safeguard people's concerns, not destroy regulatory oversight," she added.
CSE has also strongly advocated for consolidation of all clearances including environment, forests, wildlife and coastal.

"The fragmentation is not only adding to delays but also to poor decision-making. Make one comprehensive impact assessment document covering all aspects for all clearances and one unique number to link and track all clearances," the statement said.
Among another important recommendation put forth by CSE is reforming the process of forest clearance.

"Currently, clearances are being granted without considering the impact of forest diversion on forests, wildlife, water and the community, and without evaluating the ecological and economic value of forests. There is no system in place to check the veracity of information based on which forest clearances are granted," the statement said.
"We know that the system is not working, but we also know that without safeguards and regulatory oversight, environmental degradation will increase and this in turn will have consequences for India's growth story," Narain said.