The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) has clarified that the Environmental clearances already accorded to projects coming up in the two coastal districts of Maharashtra - Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg will continue to be in force. A Memorandum issued by the Ministry states that :
- The environmental clearances already accorded continue to be in force.
- The project proponents can submit their proposals for appraisal in respect of all such project proposals for which Terms of References (TORs) have been issued and public hearing has taken place before 16th August, 2010, to MoEF for category “A” projects and to the State Level Impact Assessment Authority ( SLIAA), Maharashtra for category ‘B’ projects.
- The project proponents of such projects for which TORs have been issued may complete the process, including preparation of draft EIA/EMP, holding a public hearing and revision of EIA/EMP in light of public consultation and thereafter submit for appraisal to MoEF for category ‘A’ projects and to the State Level Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Maharashtra for category ‘B’ projects. However, a final decision on such proposals would be taken only after the receipt of the recommendations from the Expert Panel on Western Ghats.
- As indicated for earlier moratorium in respect of critically polluted areas, the projects of public interest, such as projects of national importance, pollution control, defence and security, will continue to be considered in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the EIA Notification, 2006 with the prior approval of MEF and SEIAA for category ‘A’ and ‘B’ projects respectively, on a case to case basis, and the decisions taken on merit.
The Ministry of Environment & Forest, vide its communication dated August 16, 2010 imposed a four months moratorium on consideration of projects for Environmental Impact Assessment till December 2010. The decision was taken following various representations expressing concern over the environment impact and ecological degradation due to projects being proposed in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg,
In view of the ecological importance of the Western Ghats, the Ministry has constituted the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel headed by noted environmental expert Dr.Madhav Gadgil. The Panel will suggest measures for conservation, protection and rejuvenation of Western Ghats and also examine the developmental trends in the region. Western Ghats cover an area of approximately 1.6 lakh sq kms across Gujarat (Dangs region), Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.
*Office Memorandum can be accessed at www.moef.nic.in
