There is merit in his contention because the system requires those setting up a project to furnish the EIA report. It is debatable whether those who have a stake in a proposed project will get a fair assessment done and not hide any potential adverse impact on the environment. If integrity is lacking in the Government, the private sector is no different. After all, consultants appointed by stakeholders are known to have obfuscated facts in EIA reports prepared by them. Worse, often they have done a cut-and-paste job from other reports to help the project get the green nod. For instance, the EIA report on the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant has shown two functional creeks, which will flank the plant and are rich in marine life and biodiversity, as “filled up". Similarly, a cement factory coming up in a wetland in Gujarat was given the go ahead as its EIA report showed the plant was being constructed on wasteland. Which brings us to certain questions: Why were environmentalists, who have been crying hoarse about blatant loopholes in the system of getting environment clearance, not consulted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests when it issued the amended EIA notification in 2006? Is it because the then Minister, A Raja, had given in to pressure from the all-powerful mining and power lobbies? Read the full report here.
Source: The Pioneer.
