No radar station proposal at Andaman's islands pending

The government today said that there is no proposal regarding radar station at Narcondam Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands pending for wildlife clearance.
Minister of State for Environment, Prakash Javadekar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that for environment clearance of defence projects, a dedicated Expert Appraisal Committee has been set up.
"There is no proposal regarding radar station at Narcondam Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands pending for wildlife clearance in the ministry of Environment and Forest," Javadekar said.
He said that his ministry had in 2012 received representations from environmentalists urging the need for conservation of Narcondam Hornbills in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

He said that his ministry has decided to accord general approval under Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act 1980 for diversion of forest land required for construction and widening of two-lane roads by BRO and other road construction agencies entrusted with the job by Ministry of Defence in area falling within 100 kilometres aerial distance from Line of Actual Control (LAC).
He said that general approval has also been accorded to widening of roads which are identified by Defence Ministry as link roads, between border roads in area within 100 kilometres aerial distance from the LAC.

"Regarding environment clearance for Defence Projects, a dedicated Expert Appraisal Committee has been set up," Javadekar said adding that it would expedite the process of granting green nod.

Replying to another question, he said that the government proposes to give environmental clearance in order of priority to complete defence projects and said that his ministry considers the application for grant of environment clearance from various sectors including defence as per provisions of Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006 as amended from time to time.
"All defence sector proposals are kept in Category A in the EIA Notification 2006 and considered at the central government level," he said.