We've excess power but no access to it: Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta's first case was against Vedanta, where he represented the Dongria Kondh tribals seeking a ban on bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri hills in south-west Odisha. He speaks to Prerna Singh Bindra of Indiaspend about dangers to India's environment.

Can you elaborate on specific moves by the current regime that dilute environmental regulations?

The National Waterways Act, 2016, intended to convert rivers into highways — with heavy traffic of cargo ships of coal, oil, chemicals — was passed by the Parliament, overruling other statutory processes. The government is not seeking environment approvals for bulk of the waterways.

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