JSU demands Centre to withdraw draft EIA, 2020

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 27, 2020

The Jaintia Students Union (JSU) has demanded the Centre to withdraw the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2020.

In a letter to the Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Monday, JSU chief Lawyerson War said, “(We) highly oppose and demand the immediate withdrawal of the draft EIA notification 2020, which is against our tribal and environmental rights.”

He said the draft is prospecting for disastrous provisions which are illegal and contradictory to the Environment Protection Act (1986).

“The draft notification neither offers any environmental protection nor community protection to the affected communities over their environmental habitat. Instead it is an aggressive attempt by the Union Government to suppress and eliminate the rights of the tribal community over their land and resources on the pretext of ease of doing business which only will allow for the easy facilitation for the destruction of our land, natural resources and community by the private and public firms,” War said.

The JSU also opposed the provision to allow for post facto clearance of illegal projects without environmental clearance terming it as distressing that will create opportunities for environmental violation.

“The grant of environmental clearance to projects should require proper oversight assessment on its impact on the environment before operation,” it said.

As per the notification, the provision for exemption for the need of public consultations for various projects including linear projects under 31 and 38 in Border Areas is an attempt to silence the public opinions.

“By this provision the Southern part of the State of Meghalaya which shares a very long International Border for areas 100 KM from the actual line of control will be adversely affected,” the letter stated.

The JSU further expressed strong opposition against the move to exempt public consultations for certain projects which are currently mandated in the EIA notification 2006 and also the reduction in the number of days from 30 to 20 so as to limit public participation.

“(Our) opinion is a dictatorial attempt to take away the power of the people. We strongly condemn this attempt by the Union Government,” it said while demanding that the government should adopt stronger provisions for environmental impact assessment which will be environment and people friendly before granting clearance and permission to any projects.