(a) whether the Government has proposed to constitute a new authority to regulate all environment related norms for automatic clearance to various projects especially coal mining on the lines of U.S. Environmental Protection Authority;
(b) if so, the salient features of the said authority;
(c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the time by which it is likely to be constituted?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS
(SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)
(a) to (d) The Ministry proposes to establish a National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA) with domain expertise, technological finesse and field outreach in order to strengthen and professionalize the regimes of environment impact assessment and coastal zone management under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The details and the time schedule for setting up the Authority have not yet been finalised.