In recent news, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) organized its very first meeting via video conferencing. During this meeting, the go-ahead is given for infrastructure projects across 11 states.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting
Experts who associated with the conference pointed out that most projects were granted ‘in-principal approval’. When meetings are held virtually, scrutinizing maps to pin down the specific locations of proposed projects can be challenging. Further details on the conditions projects need to comply with will only become apparent once the formal minutes of the meeting are released. Any projects that would encroach into forests or protected reserves must obtain the approval of the NBWL as part of the government’s environmental clearance process.
About the Environment Clearance (EC) Process
For a project to gain Environment Clearance (EC), an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) must be completed. Before the ‘Consent to Establish (NOC)’ is issued by state regulators, a ‘Public Hearing’ process takes place. This allows the concerns of those living in the proposed project area to be addressed. An application form together with the EIA report, details of the public hearing and NOC must be submitted for environmental clearance. This should be sent to either the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for A category projects or the state government for B category projects.
The submitted documentation for both categories is then reviewed by either the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Union Environment Ministry, or the relevant State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs). The committee’s recommendations are then processed in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for final approval or rejection.
The Role of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
The NBWL is a statutory Board that was officially established in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The board, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, has the responsibility to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests. Although its role is advisory, the board plays a crucial part in advising the Government on policy making for wildlife conservation. It serves as the top body for reviewing all wildlife-related matters and approving projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
The Standing Committee of the NBWL, chaired by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change, approves all projects that are within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.
As a consequence of the recent video-conferencing meeting, infrastructure projects across 11 states were cleared by the NBWL, marking a significant event in environmental policy-making.