Decision taken to extend green clearance from 5 to 7 years:

A decision has been taken to extend the validity of environmental clearance from five to seven years, government told the Lok Sabha today.

In his reply, Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said that a decision has been taken in the ministry for extending the validity of environmental clearance from five years to seven years.

The decision has been forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting, he said.

Environmental clearance for irrigation and river valley projects are valid for ten years, he added.

Replying to another question, the Minister said 40 projects related to infrastructure, coal mining and irrigation sector are under consideration of the Ministry for grant of environment clearance under the provisions of EIA notification, 2006.