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 cons. But in the revised EIA 2020, the time limit for the public hearing is reduced from 30 days to 20 days. When a dam is built, the nearby areas are flooded. The locals living here, their sources of livelihood, the biodiversity would all be flooded. 20 days is obviously not enough to make decisions on such matters. Even 6 months would be little.
3. The list of project categories strategically exempted from public opinion has increased. The Fundamental Rights as secured in Article 19 of the Indian Constitution can only be exempted for matters of national security as each right’s sub-clause mentions. Sacrificing the economy for the environment is not a matter of national security. We, citizens of this democracy, have our right to voice our opinions against the government’s decisions secured.
4. It is legal for the government to not let out any information about such strategic projects to the public. Again these matters are most likely not of “national security.”
5. One out of the many projects exempted from public consultation is any project undertaken within the border area (100km areal distance from Line of Actual Control) which includes areas of many neighbouring countries as well as the dense forest lands of North-East India. Any environmentally sensitive activities undertaken here cannot be questioned by the public and information need not be provided.
6. The earlier permissible number of 20,000 sq.m projects for the building and construction sector has now plummeted to 150,000 sq.m.
These are just some downsides.
We at times of a climate crisis cannot compromise on our forests. A deadline of August 11, 2020, has been given to the public to voice their opinions on the EIA 2020 draft. Yes, it is still a draft, thanks to the High Court. And we cannot afford to let this draft escalate into a law without more revisions.
Read the entire draft of EIA 2020 here.
Email your opinion to eia2020-moefcc@gov.in.
Sign a petition here.
Or copy-paste email from here.
It wouldn’t be of use signing the petition in the third link as the Government has blocked this site, along with many other sites of environmental activism.
Suggestions:
What are your opinions?
Most of the people are not aware of E I A 2020 . What is the use raising questions against this Act? It's not possible for the government to release such act without the support of political parties. Only we common people are opposing . None of the political parties have raised their voice. We will try our best to protect the environment.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few political parties opposing it as well.
Deletehttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/draft-eia-notification-may-turn-state-into-a-desert-says-alagiri/article32226203.ece#!
Our voices have been further strengthened thanks to the decisions of High Court. They have given us an opportunity to directly present our opinions- something that doesn't happen will all drafts.
Thanks !