ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCES

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Context: Easing norms for infrastructure projects, the Union environment ministry has extended the tenure of environmental clearances (EC) granted for existing or new projects.

The rationale behind this move:

• Some projects had a ‘high gestation’ period due to several variables beyond the control of project proponents.
• Projects are delayed due to geological surprises, red tape, delays in forest clearance, land acquisition, local issues, rehabilitation and resettlement, etc.
• Central Government “deems it necessary” to extend the validity of Environmental Clearance (EC) for such projects.

Proposed changes: The EC for

• river valley projects will now have a 13-year validity
• nuclear power projects, or those involving the processing of nuclear fuel 15 years
• projects and activities other than the mining and river valley projects will have their EC valid for 10 years.

Environmental clearances (EC)

• It is a long-drawn process that is mandatory for projects beyond a certain size and often involves an environment impact assessment of a potential project and sometimes public hearings involving the local populace who might be affected by the project.
• One of the conditions of an EC is that a project must begin construction in the period that it has been granted an EC and if unable, a fresh process must begin. This leads to projects being financially unviable.
• Under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, the validity of prior environmental clearance granted to a river valley project or activity is 10 years, a maximum of 30 years for mining projects and seven years for other projects and activities.
• Environmental clearance (EC) is mandatory for 39 types of developmental projects including mining, hydro power and thermal power among others, and the process for clearance is outlined by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006.

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