The Chhattisgarh Environment and Housing Minister Rajesh Munat on Monday pitched for amendment of Acts related to environment conservation for making it more robust and effective. The Minister appreciated constitution of a high-level committee by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change to review various laws related to environment conservation at a two-day conference of State Environment and Forest Ministers in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi and provided suggestions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference, in which Union Forest and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Nipendra Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, Chhattisgarh Principal Secretary (Forest) RP Mandal and Secretary (Environment) Sanjay Shukla were also present.
Referring to the report submitted by the committee, the Union Forest and Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar said that the committee has proposed creation of National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in the Centre and State Environment Management Authority (SEMA) in States. He suggested that State Governments should be given full power to constitute SEMA.
The Minister also suggested that State Pollution Control Board should be merged with State Environment Management Authority (SEMA) to avoid any apprehensions among employees of the State board. It means State board should act as SEMA.
Javdekar said that small scale industries, minor mineral mines of stone, sand, murum, etc having very small lease area and other industries which are less polluting in nature should be exempted from obtaining environment clearance.
He maintained that such units should be asked to prepare environment management plan and implement it effectively. This will result in reducing number of pending cases before the authority and help improve quality of work.
The Minister further suggested imposition of heavy spot fine under Environment law (Management) Act, 2014 so that it works as a deterrent for violation of environment-related provisions in future.
He said provision should be made in the proposed law so that cases of serious violation where there is likelihood of severe adverse impact on environment or on large population should only be considered by NGT or other higher courts. Rest of the cases should be dealt in the proposed special environmental court at district level.
On rules for management of solid waste, he said cement/steel industries should be encouraged to use municipal solid waste as a fuel in their manufacturing process. Chhattisgarh has taken initiatives in this direction.
He said maintenance of environment quality and sustainable development should be the basic objectives of the environmental acts. Environmental acts should also act as deterrent to misuse of natural resources.