Procedure for forest clearance subverted, turned farcical, says report

An investigation by Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth magazine has raised questions about the rationale behind the government’s recent move to auction more coal blocks.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in June that 41 new coal blocks would be opened for auction to the private sector.
Explaining the logic behind the decision, the Centre had said the country needs the coal to power its energy and industrial sectors.

Releasing Down To Earth’s report at a webinar here on Tuesday, the magazine’s editor Sunita Narain said mining coal has serious pollution implications. So the need is