EIA 2020
Edit - I know its been wayy over 11 August but the deadline is extended so we can still take actions. Cheers! On March 2020, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change revised the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). In a situation we find ourselves in- a climate crisis- this might seem like a good move. ‘Revised’ usually and is supposed to mean ‘Improved” or the like. But this isn’t true. EIA 2020 is worse for the environment. 1. Environmental clearance is something like a permit given to anyone undertaking activities that interfere with the natural environment, from a large hydroelectric power-station to something as close to home like, well, homes. It makes sense to start the construction work after getting the permit after weighing all the pros and cons, right? But according to EIA 2020, it is legal to start projects before receiving the environmental clearance. 2. A public hearing to consider the opinions of the locals is important to weigh the pros and con