Environmental Clearance

Here's why EU's ecodesign regulation can hurt export of textiles, footwear

EU's ecodesign regulation mandates rigorous energy performance and environmental sustainability, prohibiting the disposal of unsold textiles and footwear, potentially impacting India's export volumes

Environmental and financial benefits drive EV adoption in India: Study

According to a new study by leading insurer ICICI Lombard General Insurance, environmental benefits and reduced fuel costs are the top reasons for switching to EVs

From ecosystems to economics: The potential of a 'species stock exchange'

Creating interdependence between funding and ecological outcomes can establish an accountable framework, augmenting the efficacy of conservation initiatives

Govt okayed 43 projects in eco-sensitive zones in 5 years: Ashwini Choubey

The Centre granted environmental clearance to more than 80 per cent of the proposals for "projects and activities" in the eco-sensitive zones of the country in the last five years, Union minister Ashwini Choubey informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. He also said the Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL) recommended a total of 689 proposals in the last five years. The minister said the environment ministry approved 43 of the total 53 proposals received in the last five years for "projects/activities" in the default eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) according to the provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006. ESZs are eco-fragile areas within 10 kilometers of the borders of protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. According to government data, SCNBWL recommended 153 proposals in 2018-19; 71 in 2019-20; 85 in 2020-21; 149 in 2021-22 and 231 in 2022-23.

Supreme Court's stay will hurt sector, says mining industry experts

Petitioner argues EIA ineffective if damage already done

US pushes environmental enforcement after more than a decade of budget cuts

The Environmental Protection Agency conducted more on-site inspections of polluting industrial sites this year than any time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said on Monday as it seeks to reinvigorate its enforcement programme after more than a decade of budget cuts. EPA opened nearly 200 criminal investigations this year, a 70 per cent increase over 2022, the agency said in a report. It completed nearly 1,800 civil settlements, a 9 per cent increase over 2022. More than half the inspections and settlements involved poor and disadvantaged communities long scarred by pollution, the agency said, reflecting the Biden administration's emphasis on environmental justice issues. But some parts of EPA's enforcement efforts still lag. In 2023, for example, it charged 102 defendants criminally. The Trump administration charged more every year, although most years only marginally. Nearly 200 defendants were charged in the latter years of the Obama administration. There is,

World Environment Day: Green clearances in India at multi-year high

Industrial projects get bulk of clearances, followed by infrastructure and mining

NGT passes orders on slew of environmental issues, penalises states in 2022

The National Green Tribunal dealt with a range of environmental issues in 2022 and passed several directions, including imposing hefty penalties on multiple states for causing damage to the environment and seeking restitution. The green tribunal cracked down on several states and union territories for non-compliance with Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSW) Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. For lack of proper management of solid and liquid waste, the tribunal ordered the Maharashtra government to pay an environmental compensation of a staggering Rs 12,000 crore and Rs 3,800 crore on the Telangana government. Also at the receiving end of its stiff penalties to tackle environmental damage were West Bengal, which was asked to cough up Rs 3,500 crore, Rajasthan Rs 3,000 crore, Karnataka Rs 2,900 crore, Punjab Rs 2,180 crore and Uttar Pradesh Rs 100 crore. It also slapped fines of Rs 200 crore on the Nagaland government, Rs 50 crore on the Mizoram government and Rs 32 crore

Huge impact of CAs on businesses can save the world: Julia Penny of ICAEW

In a Q&A, the head of the apex body of chartered accountants in the UK discusses the challenge of sustainability and other issues her tribe faces across the globe

Ganga waterway environmental clearance delayed 14 times. Here's why

As on date, inland waterways are not included in the list of projects that require prior environmental clearance

Industry need not be shut over lack of prior green nod: Supreme Court

An industry contributing to country's economy and providing livelihood need not be shut only on grounds of technical irregularity of not obtaining prior environmental clearance, the Supreme Court said

Our broken system of clearances

The EIA has become a convoluted exercise, designed for futility

Rating states on faster green approvals may weaken environmental safeguards

The star rating system is the latest in a series of orders passed by the ministry that seeks to subvert the intent behind environment clearance, which is to protect the environment

DMRC flouted environmental norms during Phase III implementation: CAG

DMRC failed to adhere to various environmental requirements during the implementation of its Phase-III project, a report by the CAG of India said.

Tree transplantation in cities have no method; doesn't help green cover

With poor transplanting methods and shoddy aftercare, trees stand a poor chance of survival, show examples from across India

SAIL spend on mines infructuous; laxity high in safety measures: CAG report

State-owned firm neither applied technical due diligence nor did techno-commercial study to assess viability before allotment of its two captive coal blocks, says report

Expert panel recommends granting environment clearance to Central Vista

With the expert panel's recommendations, the project comes a step closer to getting the environment clearance (EC), to be given by the Union Environment Minister

Ship recycling at Alang Sosiya: NGT asks project proponent to ensure process is environment friendly

National Green Tribunal has refused to interfere in the grant of Environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance by the Environment Ministry for upgrade of existing ship recycling yard at Alang

JNPT says it is adhering to all green norms for Vadhavan port development

The country's leading container port JNPT on Saturday said it is adhering to the terms of reference issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change for prior environmental clearance for development of Vadhavan port. The government had in February approved a proposal to set up a new major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra at an investment of Rs 65,544 crore. The new port will be developed on a landlord model under a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) as the lead partner with equity participation equal to or more than 50 per cent to implement the project. Of this,Rs 16,140 crores will be implemented by the SPV in constructing basic infrastructure like breakwaters, rail line/yard and road connectivity, power and water line, internal roads and common amenities, as per JNPT. At present, JNPT and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) are development partners for the prospective port with JNPT holding 74 per cent and MMB the ...

Repeated amendments to land diversion laws threatening forests, people

There are no guidelines for what kinds of forests should be nurtured on land taken up for compensatory afforestation