Biodiversity Clearances To Embellish EIAs

Union Environment Minister, Jayanthi Natarajan is resolute in this move, saying “I know industries will panic if I say we are adding one more layer of clearances, but I would like to assert today that conservation of biodiversity should certainly be a part of forest and environment clearances. I will make every effort to integrate it into environmental or forest or both clearances, at whichever level it operates." Although the Biodiversity Act already addresses the issues that will be covered in this new standard, the act has thus far been ineffectual, and hopefully this step will not be just a green wash.

Link to the published articlehttp://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/biodiversity-norms-for-green-clearances-coming-says-environment-minister/article3946502.ece

Source: Sanctuary Asia.