Latest news with #UnionEnvironmentMinistry
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Centre's expert panel recommends environmental nod for twin-tunnel road near Wayanad landslide site in Kerala
The Union Environment Ministry's Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on infrastructure projects has recommended environmental clearance for the 8.75-km-long twin tunnel road proposed between Kozhikode and Wayanad district in Kerala, close to areas affected by the disastrous 2019 and 2024 landslides. The four-lane tunnel road is proposed between Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi and will require blasting for construction in the fragile Western Ghats. In early April, the expert panel had deferred a decision on the proposal and had directed the Kerala Government to submit studies on the geology, landslides, and water drainage in the project area. During a meeting on May 14, the panel appraised these studies and recommended conditional clearance for the project. Key among the conditions was to follow the recommendations of the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) to mitigate the impacts of tunnelling and blasting. In its geological study, the institute had said that tunnelling activities during construction, including vibration from blasting, can lead to landslips if it is uncontrolled. 'To manage this, a vibration monitoring plan shall be implemented before tunnelling starts, including demarcating impact areas and regulating blasting charges,' the minutes of the EAC's May 14 meeting noted. One of the conditions laid down in the clearance recommendation stated that the Kerala government would have to implement all recommendations of CIMFR to mitigate blasting impacts, and a compliance report would have to be submitted. The EAC also directed the Kerala government to establish the Appankappu Elephant Corridor, to facilitate the movement of elephants from South Wayanad, Nilambur North Forest division towards the Silent Valley National Park. It was also directed to commission a monitoring study on the endemic and endangered Banasura Chilappan bird found above the proposed tunnel. Additionally, the EAC has asked the state government to construct elephant underpasses at two locations as well as animal passages, such as culverts, for smaller animals. Following the devastating July 2024 landslide in Chooralmala-Mundakkai areas in Wayanad that killed 298 people, local environmental groups such as the Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samithi have opposed the tunnel road, fearing ecological hazards. The EAC has itself noted that the tunnel alignment passes through highly vulnerable terrain, prone to landslides, including the 2019 Puthumala landslide area. Besides, the project area includes villages demarcated as ecologically sensitive areas by the Centre in its draft notification on the protection of Western Ghats. The proposed 8.75-km tunnel road was cleared in March by the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), as the project size mandates appraisal only at the state level. However, the central-level EAC was appraising the project as the tenure of the members of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, which grants final approvals on the SEAC's recommendation, had ended. An award-winning journalist with 14 years of experience, Nikhil Ghanekar is an Assistant Editor with the National Bureau [Government] of The Indian Express in New Delhi. He primarily covers environmental policy matters which involve tracking key decisions and inner workings of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. He also covers the functioning of the National Green Tribunal and writes on the impact of environmental policies on wildlife conservation, forestry issues and climate change. Nikhil joined The Indian Express in 2024. Originally from Mumbai, he has worked in publications such as Tehelka, Hindustan Times, DNA Newspaper, News18 and Indiaspend. In the past 14 years, he has written on a range of subjects such as sports, current affairs, civic issues, city centric environment news, central government policies and politics. ... Read More
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Plastic nurdle spill from Kerala shipwreck reaches Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: The potential environmental fallout from the recent sinking of the container ship MSC ELSA 3 off the Kochi coast in Kerala has escalated, as plastic nurdles—tiny plastic pellets used in manufacturing—have begun washing ashore even in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari district on Wednesday. The Liberia-flagged vessel sank on May 25, approximately 38 nautical miles off the coast between Vizhinjam and Kochi. Carrying 640 containers, including 13 with hazardous materials and substantial quantities of diesel and furnace oil, the ship's sinking has led to the dispersion of its cargo in the ocean. Among the debris, the nurdles, which have been found on beaches in Thiruvananthapuram, have drifted southward into the west coast of Tamil Nadu due to prevailing ocean currents. This has raised fears that they may drift towards the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar on the east coast. It hosts extensive coral reefs, vital seagrass meadows, and endangered species like dugongs and sea turtles. Kanniyakumari district authorities told TNIE that 25-kg bags full of plastic nurdles in large quantities started washing ashore on Wednesday afternoon. Sources said there was a meeting of a fact-finding committee, which was constituted by the Union Environment Ministry, held in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. "So far, we don't know the quantity of the spill," a senior official in the environment ministry said. Nurdles, though not inherently toxic, pose significant threats to marine life and coastal ecosystems. Their small size and resemblance to fish eggs make them easily ingestible by marine organisms. Once consumed, they can cause internal blockages, malnutrition, and even death. Moreover, nurdles act as sponges for toxic chemicals, which can accumulate in the bodies of marine animals and potentially enter the human food chain.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Asiatic lion count in India sees sharp rise, reaches 891: Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav celebrated the significant rise in India's lion population, which he said has increased to 891 from 674 in 2020, describing it as a 'landmark success' in wildlife conservation. In a post on X, Yadav credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, both as Gujarat Chief Minister and Indian Prime Minister, for prioritising Project Lion and driving this achievement. He also congratulated forest officials, wildlife lovers, and environment enthusiasts for their role in this success. He urged everyone to continue working toward a 'Viksit Bharat where humans prosper along with wildlife.' 'It is really heartening to note that the number of lions in India has risen to 891 from 674 in 2020. This astounding success of conservation has been achieved due to the concerted efforts of PM Shri @narendramodi ji, who first as Gujarat CM, and then as Indian PM, made Project Lion a priority area of action,' the Union Environment Minister said. 'I congratulate each and every individual from forest officials, wildlife lovers to environment enthusiasts for this success. Let us keep working to ensure Viksit Bharat is one where humans prosper along with wildlife,' he said, emphasizing the collective commitment needed to sustain and build upon this achievement. Building on this shared vision, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and consistent support towards wildlife conservation. He said,'Respected Prime Minister, my heartfelt gratitude to you for your vision and continued encouragement to protect the Asiatic lion and other wildlife. The efforts being made to protect wildlife in Gujarat under your guidance have generated unprecedented awareness among local people and tourists alike about lion conservation. 'Project Lion' has become the cornerstone in creating an ecosystem for the conservation and promotion of lions. Gujarat is committed to work with full energy with the central government to carry these efforts forward uninterruptedly.' Patel also appreciated the commitment shown by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and thanked all those involved in making Project Lion a success on the ground. Responding to CM Bhupendra Patel's post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his reaction on X, saying: 'Very exciting information! It brings me immense happiness to see that under 'Project Lion', the efforts being undertaken are not only providing a suitable environment for lions in Gujarat but also ensuring their protection.' The Union Environment Ministry has approved Project Lion with a budget of Rs 2,927.71 crore for Asiatic Lion conservation. Project Lion stands as a transformative initiative dedicated to the conservation and expansion of the Asiatic lion population, ensuring their long-term survival through strategic habitat management and community participation. It encompasses a wide range of strategies, including habitat and population management, wildlife health, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, local community participation, tourism development, scientific research, training, eco-development, and biodiversity conservation. To strengthen lion conservation, 237 beat guards (162 men, 75 women) were recruited in 2024. They patrol protected areas, prevent conflicts, and safeguard lion habitats. 92 rescue vehicles have been deployed for swift wildlife emergency response, rescue of wild animals and ensuring timely medical care and to reduce human-wildlife conflict, 11,000 machans have been built, helping farmers protect crops while ensuring safety and coexistence with lions. A key safety measure is the construction of parapet walls around 55,108 open wells to prevent wildlife falls, reduce fatalities, and protect animals and water sources. The launch of Project Lion marks a historic moment in India's conservation journey. With Gujarat leading the way, the initiative will ensure the long-term survival and well-being of Asiatic lions, solidifying India's position as a global leader in wildlife conservation. (ANI)
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Stitch in time: on judiciary and Environment Ministry notifications
Last week, the Supreme Court of India finally struck down as 'illegal' two notifications by the Union Environment Ministry that allowed industrial units to set up, expand operations or change their manufacturing practices without following the due process of taking government permission beforehand. Taking 'prior' approval is a sacrosanct principle at the heart of the Environment Impact Assessment (Notification) of 2006. On the surface it appeared that the Centre, or the Union Environment Ministry, had instituted a system that made a mockery of this principle, but there was a rationale, even if it was flawed to some extent. In March 2017, the body issued a notification providing a 'one-time' six-month window for industries that did not have the right environmental clearances, to apply for one. In 2021, it instituted a 'standard operating procedure' that in effect allowed projects in violation of the laws, but which could not avail of the six-month window, to apply — albeit at the cost of heavy fines — for regularisation. Moreover, all these significant changes were being issued through executive orders, rather than any attempt at amending the underlying Environment Protection Act (EIA), 2006, through Parliament. The Centre's reasoning was three-fold. First, the process for regularising projects had already been initiated by the United Progressive Alliance government in 2012 and 2013. These were, however, struck down by the Jharkhand High Court and the National Green Tribunal on procedural grounds, and not that these projects were irredeemably violative. Second, demolishing functioning plants that were contributing to the economy and employment could exacerbate pollution and be disruptive. The Centre cited examples of various disputes involving copper mines to pharmaceutical companies where the courts had agreed that a 'balanced' approach was necessary in cases involving violations. Finally, it argued that it had put in place a system whereby the industrial units seeking to be regularised would have to pay fines for the period that they had functioned in violation. The Court in its final verdict has rightly, as previous courts have, emphasised the principle of 'prior' clearance, though its action may be a little late as it has clarified that companies that had regularised themselves under the 2017 and 2021 orders would be 'unaffected' by the judgment. That thriving industrial units in violation of the laws mushroomed is a testament to the collective failure of regional environmental boards to enforce laws. So it stands to reason that making these illegal units pay, under the purported new procedure, would have been a fruitless exercise. The judgment should ideally nip any 'crafty' attempts by future governments to condone violations in the name of the economy though it must also trigger on-ground enforcement.
