Experts Reject Change In Environment Laws

Top environment experts have questioned the recommendations of the government-appointed committee-TSR Subramanian panel to suggest changes to six existing environment and forest laws. The high-powered committee under former Cabinet secretary Subramanian was set up by the Narendra Modi government to “assess six environment and forest laws and recommend amendments to bring them in line with changing times”.

Laws to be reviewed

Environment Protection Act, 1986; Forest Conservation Act, 1980; Wildlife Protection Act,1972; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Air Act 1981 and Indian Forest Act, 1927.

Key objections

Environmentalists questioned the Subramanian panel suggestion that areas with over 70 per cent forest cover alone be declared no go. This implies that areas with lesser forest cover won’t be “no go” so far as environmental protections go.

They also opposed the suggestion to introduce ‘utmost faith’ concept to the environmental regulation jargon. This concept means you trust promoters when they self-certify to protect the environment while forging development.

By: Vishal