Unveiling the Environmental Catastrophe: The Himalayan Fallout of EIA Dilution in India

 



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Recent amendments to India's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Rules have sounded alarm bells, especially in the fragile Himalayan region, where environmental protection is paramount. The decision to exempt strategic and defense highway projects from environmental clearances within 100 km of the Line of Control (LoC) and other strategic locations is a reckless gamble with the region's ecological integrity.

Take, for instance, the controversial Char Dham project, poised to wreak havoc on Uttarakhand's pristine landscapes by widening 899 km of roads through ecologically sensitive areas. This exemption not only undermines environmental safeguards but also imperils the delicate balance of ecosystems crucial for the region's stability.

Moreover, the exemptions granted to thermal power plants and select ports are tantamount to playing Russian roulette with climate resilience. By bypassing environmental clearances for such projects, the government is turning a blind eye to the looming threat of climate change in the Himalayas, where glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, posing existential risks to millions downstream.

The draft EIA notification 2020, with its contentious provisions like post-facto approvals and extended clearances for mining and river valley projects, is a slap in the face of environmental stewardship. Allowing industries a free pass after environmental damage has already been done not only sets a dangerous precedent but also emboldens reckless exploitation of natural resources, exacerbating the climate crisis.

In parallel, India's defense sector has witnessed significant growth, with some private companies entering strategic partnerships to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities. While these collaborations aim to advance India's defense infrastructure and reduce reliance on imports, questions arise about their environmental implications, especially concerning the production and disposal of defense-related materials.

In the port and logistics sector, the expansion of a private company has been noteworthy, with ambitious plans to handle significant throughput volumes by 2024. The rush for economic growth at the expense of environmental sustainability is a myopic strategy that spells doom for the Himalayan region and beyond.

In the face of looming climate catastrophe, there is no room for complacency or compromise. The dilution of EIA norms in India is a damning indictment of shortsighted policies that prioritize profit over planet. Urgent action is needed to reverse this course, restore environmental safeguards, and forge a path towards sustainable development that respects the delicate balance of nature in the Himalayas and safeguards the future of generations to come.

Is the dilution of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms for defense and port projects truly about fostering development, or is it a veiled attempt to facilitate some private companies in evading stringent environmental clearances?

Source links

India’s Environment Impact Assessment Draft 2020: Issues and Challenges | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (idsa.in)

India’s new draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) norms, and why they bother activists | FairPlanet

Adani-Ambani face off: How Modi's Make in India set the stage for defence rivalry in India - BusinessToday

Reliance, Adani Ent, Adani Ports: What Should Investors Do With Adani, Ambani Stocks Before Election Results - Goodreturns

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