Environment

Accreditation scheme on hold

Karnataka High Court stays accreditation of consultants who assess environmental impact

Sugandh Juneja

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).

‘The scheme is first of its kind. It needs to be given more time before we start criticising or praising it’  
 
  — A K GHOSE,
Advisor, Quality Council of India 
 
 
 
‘QCI is steered by industry organisations. It is accrediting consultants who have a record of faulty EIA reports’  
 
  ——— KANCHI KOHLI,
Environmentalist, Kalpavriksh
 
 
 
Scope for improvement