Source: Social Media

A pivotal Supreme Court decision on July 6, 2011, has prompted the Union Ministry to implement extensive reforms to transform the environmental clearance process for projects impacting forest land. This change, initiated by the Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited case, is designed to boost regulatory transparency and safeguard India’s forest ecosystems.

As part of the reforms outlined in a memorandum dated September 9, 2011, no environmental clearances (EC) will be granted without obtaining prior in-principle approval for the diversion of forest land. This new requirement aims to ensure that projects address their environmental impacts before progressing.

Among the significant updates, regional offices have been expanded and now feature Regional Empowered Committees responsible for reviewing and approving proposals. The PARIVESH portal, a key component of the reform, has undergone a major upgrade to handle EC and forest land diversion applications online. This portal streamlines the application process, allowing stakeholders to submit proposals, track their status, and access relevant documents all in one place. The upgraded system enhances transparency by making all documents related to environmental clearances publicly accessible.

A notable addition is the Decision Support System (DSS), an advanced tool that incorporates geo-referenced data on forest cover, biodiversity, protected areas, and hydrology. The DSS aids in the swift and informed evaluation of project proposals, streamlining the decision-making process.