PDF seek CM’s intervention over draft EIA, 2020

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 10, 2020

The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma into the issue related to the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), 2020.

In a statement issued here on Monday, PDF general secretary Auspicious L Mawphlang informed that a delegation consisting of the four-party MLAs, chairman and the general secretary of the party have met the Chief Minister to express concern over the draft EIA notification, 2020.

“(We) request the CM to urge the Ministry to consider for re-evaluation and reassessment of the draft EIA notification, 2020 as it can contradict with the traditional customs and practices of the indigenous people of the state and most importantly sustainable development cannot be achieved without integrating environmental aspects in our policies and programmes,” Mawphlang said.

He informed that the party has also submitted its views on the contentious draft to the Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.

“The party after a detail assessment on some provisions of the draft such as exemption of Public Consultation for some critical  projects, reducing the time period to 20 days for the general public to share their views on various developmental projects, the lack of clarity on strategic projects to be declared by the Central Government which are to be exempted from prior Environmental Clearance, contradiction with certain provisions of the 6th schedule , the disastrous post facto regularisation, the ease of getting Environmental Clearance, Non-Cognizance of the Environmental Violation  by the general public and most importantly in the general aspects of the Notification which give the Central Government more authority over the power and functions of state authorities felt the need to voice out its disagreement  and deep concern with the features of the notification mention  as these can have a negative  impact on the cultural and unique lifestyle  of the indigenous people  of the state,” he said.

Many provisions of this notification would lead to irreversible damage to the environment which can have a catastrophic impact on the health and survival of the general public as well as the immense Biodiversity of the state since Meghalaya is also a part of the Indo -Burma Biodiversity Hotspot of the world, the general secretary said.