Vapi tops list of critically polluted areas

Environment ministry rapped

THE Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has failed to effectively protect the environment of the country. That’s what the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has highlighted in its report presented to the Lok Sabha on April 27.

‘Scrap 24 dams, save Ganga’

A REPORT commissioned by the Union environment and forests ministry warns the Centre against going ahead with 24 hydropower projects planned on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river systems in Uttarakhand. The projects would destroy 22 per cent of the state’s forestland and affect the unique Himalayan ecology along one-third of lengths of the two main tributaries of the Ganga, states the report prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.

Green nod to Jindal mine nixed

Supreme Court asks Jaipur metro authorities to approach environment ministry for mining sand

The Supreme Court has asked the Jaipur Metro Development Authority to take permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) if it wants to mine sand for its metro rail project.

Audit of reluctance

The ministry of environment and forests (MEF) has decided to postpone from May 15 to September 30 the date for industries to submit their first environmental audit. This corresponds to the date by which companies are expected to file annual reports.

Ash flies in the face of power plan

Goa's iron ore miners undergo pollution board check

The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), on Thursday, resumed hearings relating to violation of environmental clearances and excess mining by 40 iron ore mine owners who were issued notices last week. All the mine lease owners were instructed to produce documents for verification and for checking the validity of environmental clearances issued by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). The hearings which commenced on Thursday, will be held on April 13 and 16 as well.

Accreditation scheme on hold

THE accreditation scheme for environmental impact assessment consultants has hit a roadblock after the Karnataka High Court stayed it on January 19. The scheme launched in December 2009 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) requires EIA consultants to get accredited with the Quality Council of India (QCI).

MoEF expert panel recommends moratorium on mining, power projects in Konkan

Power and mining projects planned in the Konkan region of Maharashtra may hit a road block if the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) decides to heed the report of an expert panel it appointed. The panel has recommended an indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ I & II) of the region.