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Environment initiatives in full swing despite fragile government
Ashok B Sharma
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The Union ministry of environment and forests, during the 18-month rule of the UF government, attempted to balance environmental imperatives with economic development. The ministry set up an autonomous National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) for giving environmental clearance through statutory public hearing, it has delegated greater powers to states to clear power projects. It has also made certain modifications in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ).The NEAA, headed by Justice N Venkatachala, retired judge of the Supreme Court, has been vested with powers to consider appeals against the decision of the Union government on applications for environmental clearance to projects. These projects include 29 developmental activities including nuclear power and related projects, river valley projects, mining and highway projects, which require mandatory environmental clearance from the ministry. The central government has empowered the states to accord environmental clearance to
cogeneration plants, captive power plants up to 250 MW (both coal, gas and naphtha based), coal-based plants up to 500 MW using fluidised bed technology, coal based power plants up to 250 MW using conventional technology and gas or naphtha based plants up to 500 MW. The modifications made in the CRZ notification empowers the Union ministry of shipping and transport to grant environmental clearance to projects for expansion and modernisation of existing ports and harbours and permit storage of specified petroleum products in port area and transfer of hazardous substance from ships to ports and vice-versa. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) with the assistance of state pollution control committees monitored the status of large and medium industries in 17 categories. According to reports, out of the total 1551 large and medium industries in this category, 1260 have already taken necessary measures to comply with the prescribed environmental norms, 125 units have been closed and the remaining 166 units
have yet to provide adequate facilities to comply with the environmental standards. Appropriate action has been initiated against industries discharging their effluents into rivers and lakes without requisite treatment. As per a decision taken in the meeting of the National River Conservation Authority (NRCA), under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, I K Gujral, legal notices have been issued to 2026 units for not complying with environmental norms.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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