Kendrapada: Environmental clearances have been granted to 42 ‘category A' projects in Odisha between Dec 2019 and Dec this year, minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Category A projects, which include crude oil refineries, thermal power stations, steel plants and major infrastructure developments, are those likely to have significant environmental and social impacts beyond their immediate location.
Responding to a question from MP Debashish Samantaray, Singh said the approvals came with specific conditions to protect local ecosystems, including forests, wildlife and the environment.
The minister emphasised that comprehensive impact assessments on flora and fauna are conducted before granting approvals under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Project developers must implement various mitigation measures, including compensatory afforestation and wildlife management plans, at their own expense.
Under the current framework, any use of forest land for non-forest purposes requires central govt approval. "We consider proposals case by case, allowing only the minimum necessary forest land use with appropriate mitigation measures," Singh explained.
The environmental clearance process involves four key stages — screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal. Project proposals are evaluated by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), which assigns terms of reference for environmental impact assessment reports.
The minister added that post-mining rehabilitation is mandatory, requiring leaseholders to restore disturbed areas through re-grassing and other measures to support local flora and fauna.
Environmental management plans must be prepared by accredited consultants, considering ecological sensitivity, proximity to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, and potential impacts on nearby communities. EAC recommends projects only after thorough evaluation of these factors and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies.