The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is proposing a new adjudicating authority to determine the extent of environmental damage to be caused by any project, adding another step to the process of green clearance.
The MoEF plans to amend the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, “with the objective of providing for effective deterrent penal provisions and introducing the concept of monetary penalty for violations and conventions.”
The authority will determine whether the damage is minor, non-substantial or substantial and decide on a monetary penalty.
In another development, the Central Information Commission directed the Environment Ministry to explain whether it is revisiting environmental clearance given to a solar park in the habitat of Indian Bustard in Karnataka as per directions of National Green Tribunal.
Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu asked the Ministry, “to explain reasons for this non-publication of policy-related information about Solar Thermal projects as mandated by Section 4(1) of RTI Act.”
CIC was acting on a plea filed by Thomas who had sought the information on action taken after the direction of NGT to revisit the exemption given to Solar Power projects for Environmental clearance.
Sagitaur Ventures India Pvt ltd was allotted 1250 acres of land in the Amrit Mahal Kavals of Challakere Taluk, Chitradurga District, Karnataka State to set up a 200 MW capacity Solar Power Generation project, mentioned Acharyulu.
CIC Commissioner cited recent research based reports that spoke of environmental hazards solar project can cause to these critically endangered birds. Hence, the NGT directed the Ministry to revisit the exemption order with regard to Environmental Clearance given to Sagitaur Ventures India Pvt ltd and pass suitable orders,
he reminded.