Government to expedite grant of forest clearance

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry has decided to review the status of pending forest clearances with an aim to expedite the process.

The ministry has decided to hold a meeting with all nodal officer, regional officers as well as project proponents.

The ministry has also decided that all Expert Appraisal Committees ( EACs) will hold at least two meetings in April and May this year for the appraisal of projects, with special emphasis on those pertaining to different ministries.

The decision was taken after a meeting chaired by environment secretary Ajay Narayan Jha last week.

"Special Secretary in the Ministry R R Rashmi will hold a meeting, in which all officers concerned from the Ministry, nodal officer, regional officer and project proponents will be invited.

"The meeting will review the cases where the projects have been apprised by the Expert Appraisal Committees and recommended the grant of Environmental Clearance, but are being held up because of Forest Clearance-Stage I," an official statement said.