Expert Appraisal Committees to meet twice a month to fast track environmental clearance
Experts slam government move, stating it would short-change the importance of appraisal and detailed scrutiny in the environment clearance process
Flawed forestry clearance mechanism needs an urgent fix
The MoEFCC must recognise that ill-planned intrusion of developmental projects into natural habitats is one of the most serious threats to long-…
Brazilian government cancels mega dam on the Amazon’s Tapajós River
The project could have caused flooding of lands and forced displacement of indigenous Munduruku people
Curse of the urban boom
Real estate sector in India has serious environmental implications. How effective are regulatory agencies?
Peripheral ring road project: Karnataka HC bars action on virtual hearing
HC issues notices to state authority; asks whether virtual hearings were sufficient and valid under procedure established under EIA, 2006
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 18, 2020)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Reform for reform’s sake
Without bottom-up rehauling National Environment Protection Agency will be more of the same
Can’t do without support: Wildlife Institute chief writes to environment ministry
The Union finance ministry on September 30, 2020 recommended that MoEF&CC ‘disengage’ from five autonomous institutions, including&…
Opencast expansion at Chhattisgarh mine violates NGT order
The EAC recommended that the coal mine be expanded to 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) from 1 MTPA through opencast method
Is an environmental apocalypse approaching India?
The Union government scarcely conceals its contempt for the environment working assiduously to dismantle environment protection.
Mining at deep sea
Countries are delving deeper into the ocean to explore its mineral wealth. The deposits on the ocean floor are enormous and the ecology of this …
CPCB panel appointed to inspect Utkal Asbestos plant site in Bihar
Patna High Court pulls up state pollution control board for submitting affidavits that contradict each other
Joshimath Sinking: Preparations for Char Dham Yatra begin; locals still clueless about permanent rehabilitation
Reports by eight central technical institutes behind the cause for the crisis in the holy town not released to public yet.
Chaos in reforms
The TSR Subramanian Committee report, meant to suggest environmental governance reforms, creates more confusion
Coastal area projects got Centre’s nod without proper environmental impact assessment, finds CAG
Projects used outdated baseline data for green assessment, no environmental impact evaluation
Green tribunal suspends environment clearance of Scania sponge iron plant in Raigarh
Environment ministry granted clearance even though mandatory public consultations were not held
The wasteland
Bellary has lost 45 per cent of its forest cover to iron ore mining, says the CEC report
COVID-19: MoEF&CC extends validity of environmental clearances till June 30
Experts urged the ministry to reissue draft of notification on environment impact assessment also
Rubber-stamp Authority
State environment regulatory bodies formed under the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment notification have floundered. They have little …
Why environmental racism needs to have its moment
Tribal groups comprise 40-50% of the displaced population in India, and face the brunt of environment racism
Blatant lies for laterite
Andhra pollution control board holds public hearing for a project in Schedule Five area
Desperate for Expressway
Uttar Pradesh is set to begin work on its ambitious expressway along the Upper Ganga Canal, turning a blind eye to environmental concerns and …
Sundarbans at risk
Bangladesh-India power plant can severely affect the mangrove forest, say environmentalists
COVID-19 lockdown: Why battle against air pollution needs to continue
Air crisis will spiral if it’s not contained long-term and if mitigation actions are diluted to make up for time lost during lockdown
Let’s talk
On February 24, Centre for Science and Environment raised the curtains for the Anil Agarwal Dialogues on green clearances. The two-day conclave …