Kerala objects to EIA notification

The CPM-led Kerala’s LDF government has urged the Centre to hold elaborate discussions with all stakeholders on the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification before taking a final decision.

The state government had conveyed its reservations on the draft notification on Tuesday, which was also the last date for the states to submit their opinion.

“We believe that the draft EIA notification will have adverse effect on Kerala. Hence, the Centre should take all concerned on board,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters the other day.

The Kerala government has expressed its opposition to some of the conditions laid down for mining/quarrying. Kerala is in favour of bringing down the lower limit for quarrying from five hectares to two hectares for seeking environmental clearance.

The existing norms will remain for quarries less than two hectares. Environment clearance is needed for B1 medium category for carrying out mining and quarrying in an area exceeding five hectares to one hundred hectares.

The state has opposed the proposal to reduce the 20 days time permitted for public hearings for approval of projects. It has suggested that the previous period of 30 days should be retained.

The LDF government has also expressed its serious reservations against the proposal to do away with district environmental impact assessment committees. The government has pointed out that the district level committees are crucial for detailed inspection prior the granting approval for small projects.

In the present form, the EIA draft Bill will be detrimental to the interests of Kerala, said the Chief Minister.

The Left parties including CPM and CPI had earlier alleged that the EIA notification was aimed at diluting the norms governing the environment clearance process for industrial projects.

They further alleged that the new draft was aimed at facilitating private capital and aiding them to allegedly loot the country’s mineral wealth.

The CPM feared that the draft paved way for legalising the wrongdoings of projects that violate the environment laws.

The rights of adivasis and Dalits will come under threat, it alleged.

THE KERALA government has expressed its opposition to some of the conditions laid down for mining/quarrying. Kerala is in favour of bringing down the lower limit for quarrying from five hectares to two hectares for seeking environmental clearance.