Furnish compliance reports for mining projects in forests, wildlife panel directs states

The Environment Ministry has sought compliance reports from states to see if conditions imposed by it before clearing infrastructure and mining projects in forests have been complied with.

The ministry is also mulling whether it should consider project proposals from states that fail to submit compliance reports.

It clarifies terms and conditions for projects inside forests and eco-sensitive zones to minimise the impact of construction on wildlife.

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) had recently decided to seek compliance reports from chief wildlife wardens in cases of major infrastructure projects regarding highways, railways, transmission lines and mining. These reports are expected to be placed before the panel in the next meeting later this year.

A member of the NBWL’s Standing Committee, Dr HS Singh, has flagged that several members of the panel remain unaware of how many proposals have actually been monitored by the committee.

“There is a pressing need to ensure systematic monitoring of major projects such as mining, industrial and linear infrastructure to uphold the objectives of wildlife conservation. As an initial step, it is proposed that chief Wildlife wardens, being the statutory authorities under the Act, submit compliance certificates for all major projects,” Singh said.

He also proposed a certificate for submission of the compliance certificate. “Dr HS Singh mentioned that the proposals of those states which do not submit compliance certificates should not be considered. The chairman mentioned that this agenda was discussed even in the past. The report regarding compliance of conditions imposed by the standing committee should be placed before it,” according to the minutes of the NBWL’s meeting.

Regional offices of the ministry have also been asked to monitor the compliance with the conditions.

India