A new study by Centre for Science and Environment slams system of green clearances
Claims by the government and industry that environmental regulations are throttling India's economic growth are belied by the latest study by Delhi-based non-profit, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The assessment which comprehensively analysed forest clearances granted by the Indian government in the 11th Five-Year-Plan—2007 to 2011—shows that rate of granting forest clearances has doubled. In this period diversion of forestland was 25 per cent of all forestland diverted for development projects in the past thirty years. The green clearances are not working to benefit the environment or the people, the study concludes.
“Environmental regulations are seen as impeding growth, but where is the impediment? We are finding that despite all the browbeating, almost every project is getting cleared with frightening consistency, making a complete mockery of our regulatory systems,” says Sunita Narain, CSE director general, while releasing the assessment report here today.
Narain and CSE's deputy director general, Chandra Bhushan, demanded that the process of forest clearances should be stopped immediately until such time that an effective system is put in place.
The study looks at five key sectors—thermal power, hydropower, cement, iron and steel and mining—and comes out with hard data to prove that the scale of clearances has been nothing less than unprecedented.
What the study found
|
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.