The Centre has relaxed environment norms for industry in and around wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. To entertain states’ proposals to have no eco-sensitive zones around national parks and sanctuaries, the environment ministry has made it possible for project developers to begin work in these areas without a central nod. This was done through various guidelines issued in the last week of September.
In the case of industrial projects in wildlife areas, the ministry has said project proponents can carry out preliminary surveys after securing the approval of the forest officer (chief wildlife warden), instead of approaching the Centre, and, subsequently, seeking the nod of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
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The clause reads, “The chief wildlife warden may, on application, grant to any person a permit to enter or reside in a sanctuary for all or any of the following purposes — investigation or study of wildlife and purposes ancillary or incidental thereto, photography, scientific research, tourism and transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary.” This has been interpreted by the environment ministry to imply developers can carry out scientific research for early assessment of the viability of projects.
This, the ministry said, would make the process of securing wildlife clearances more efficient and “save a series of steps of clearance for survey alone”.
According to a Supreme Court mandate, projects within 10 km of a wildlife sanctuary or national park have to secure the approval of NBWL.
In another major step, the Centre has asked states to identify protected areas where there is no scope of demarcating eco-sensitive zones or where “zero” eco-sensitive zone is required. This is in line with demands of states such as Goa and Sikkim, which have said declaring eco-sensitive zones might impede socio-economic development in these state.
According to a Supreme Court ruling, state governments have to identify eco-sensitive areas around national parks and sanctuaries, where no development work is permitted. After the order, the Centre had directed states to identify such areas.
In a separate guideline, the Centre has asked states not to apply for NBWL clearances for projects near wildlife sanctuaries, as the environment ministry will decide which projects need NBWL nods. Currently, for projects near wildlife areas, state governments apply for an environment clearance and an NBWL clearance to the Centre.
The Centre noted a separate clearance from NBWL had been linked to the environmental clearance, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. As of now, states assess whether projects fall within a 10-km radius of these wildlife zones and send a separate proposal to the Centre for review.
The environment ministry has asked state governments not to do so any more.