Question : ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE TO VARIOUS PROJECTS

(a) the details of the developmental projects viz irrigation, power plants, mining, etc. pending with the Ministry for Environmental and Forest Clearance. State/UT-wise;

(b) the reasons for the pendency alongwith the period of pendency of each of these projects;

(c) the number of these projects cleared during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) the number of projects rejected during the last three years and the current year. State/UT-wise alongwith the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken for early clearance of the pending projects ?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT ON PARTS (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 40 ON “ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE TO VARIOUS PROJECTS RAISED BY SHRI P. KUMAR AND DR.PADMASINHA BAJIRAO PATIL FOR REPLY ON 10.11.2010

a) A total of 259 projects are pending for environmental clearance and 723 proposals are pending for the diversion of forestland as on 31.10.2010. The sector-wise State/UT-wise break-up of such projects is given in Table 1.

b) As per the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006, projects, the final decision is generally taken within the stipulated time-period of 105 days from the date of submission of complete details. Similarly for the proposals involving diversion of forestland, final decision is generally taken within the stipulated period of 90 days.

The main reasons for pendency of proposals awaiting environmental and forestry clearances include the following:

i. Non-receipt of complete information on the proposals.
ii. Location of projects within/in the proximity of ecologically sensitive areas, high forest density and Protected Areas.
iii. Projects located within critically polluted areas.

c) The State/UT-wise break-up of projects which were granted environmental clearance and forestry clearance during the last three years and during the current year is given in Table 2.

d) The State/UT-wise break-up of projects which were rejected environmental clearance and forestry clearance during the last three years and the current year is given in Table 3. The reasons for rejection of project proposals include their location in ecologically sensitive areas, concealment of facts, etc.

e) The steps taken to expedite clearances of pending projects include the following:

i. Regular meetings of sector-specific Expert Appraisal Committees and Forest Advisory Committee.
ii. Regular review of pending projects within the Ministry and with the concerned Ministries.
iii. Preparation of sector specific manuals.
iv. Clarificatory Circulars posted on the Ministry’s website.