Environmental Clearance Process nothing to do with Land & Livelihoods

        

 The Hon'ble Minister for Environment & Forests , GOI , in an obvious attempt to distance himself from likely violence during evictions at the POSCO site in Orissa, is reported to have stated that "Environment and Forest Clearance Process should not be used to fight other battles that have to do with important issues like, Land Acquisition, Compensation and Livelihoods."

 

EIA Process

 

 The Public Consultation of EIA refers to the process by which the concerns of local affected persons/communities and others who have plausible stake in the environmental impacts of the project or activity are ascertained with a view to taking into account all the material concerns in the project.

 

Human Environment

 

 The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the implementation of which is mandated with MOEF, drew its inspiration from the proclamation adopted by the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which includes Water, Air & Land and the interrelationship, which exists among and between water, air, land and human beings, other living concerns ,plants, micro-organism and property.

 

The protection and improvement of the Human Environment is a major issue, which affects the well being of people and economic development throughout the world; it is the urgent desire of the people of whole world and the duty of all governments "Vide  Article 48-A of The Constitution of India.

 

SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS

 

 The EIA process is required to take into consideration the adverse impacts of the Land-Use change due to the proposed project and its likely Socio-Economic effects on local communities, and other cultural values, before according Environmental Clearance to the project.  

 

 The Environment, Land and Livelihoods are inseparable and form integral part of the Project Appraisal and Public Consultation

 

Conclusion

 

 The present process of Public Consultation and Environmental Appraisal of the projects for granting Environmental Clearance has become a ritual and farcical, ignoring the main issue of protection and improvement of Human Environment and the consent from the affected village level Grama Sabha.

 

 Otherwise, we would not have had the Land and Livelihood problems of Sompeta, and Kakarapalli in AP State, Jaitapur in Maharashtra and now POSCO episode. In Orissa.

 

 Hope the Government of India and MOEF will stop using different yard sticks for granting Environmental Clearances for the projects, in different States, with a view to gain Political Mileage.?

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