‘J&K received nine central environmental clearances in five years’

New Delhi, Jul 27: Jammu and Kashmir received nine Environmental Clearances (ECs) from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at the Central level during the last five financial years, the Union Government informed Parliament on Monday.
Replying to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh, said proposals requiring Environmental Clearance are appraised under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) at the Central level and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) at the State/UT level after examining environmental impacts and issues raised during public consultation.
The minister said environmental clearances are granted after incorporating necessary environmental safeguards and mitigation measures under the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). He added that the EIA Notification mandates prior Environmental Clearance for projects falling under 38 specified categories.
As per the state-wise data annexed to the reply, Jammu and Kashmir was granted nine Environmental Clearances by the ministry between FY 2021-22 and FY 2025-26.
Regarding compliance with National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, the Ministry said all directions issued by the Tribunal are followed up by the concerned divisions and sectors for necessary action and compliance, while the Tribunal is informed of the action taken wherever required. (KNO)