The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) answered a Rajya Sabha question by detailing how it approves infrastructure projects that fall inside or near protected areas. The reply explains the legal framework, the multi‑layered clearance process, and the number of projects cleared in the financial years 2024‑25 and 2025‑26.
Key Developments
- 20 infrastructure projects located wholly or partly in Protected Areas received Environmental Clearance (EC) during FY 2024‑25 and FY 2025‑26.
- Each project also needed Wildlife Clearance from the relevant state and national wildlife bodies.
- The PARIVESH portal hosts the applications and links to a Decision Support System (DSS) for rapid, evidence‑based screening.
- Clearance decisions are taken by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) or the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), followed by review by the SCNBWL.
Important Facts
The EIA Notification, 2006 lists physical‑infrastructure projects (Item 7) that must undergo appraisal. Projects are classified as Category ‘A’ (requiring central clearance) or Category ‘B’ (state clearance). The DSS on the PARIVESH portal automatically checks the distance of a proposed site from Eco‑Sensitive Zones (ESZ), wetlands, coastal regulation zones, and other critical habitats.
For each approved project, the Ministry prescribes project‑specific safeguards such as wildlife protection measures, habitat conservation, pollution control, compensatory plantation, and continuous environmental monitoring. No construction can start without the required clearances.
Relevance for UPSC
Understanding this clearance mechanism is essential for GS‑III (Environment) and GS‑II (Polity) questions on environmental governance, sustainable development, and the role of institutions. The process illustrates how India balances infrastructure growth with ecological protection, a recurring theme in essay and answer‑writing papers.
Way Forward
Future steps may include expanding the DSS database, tightening criteria for projects near critical habitats, and enhancing public participation through the PARIVESH portal. Strengthening inter‑agency coordination between MoEFCC, State Forest Departments, and the National Board for Wildlife will further ensure that development does not compromise biodiversity.