Lok Sabha Question No. 74 (STARRED), answered on 2021-07-23
Subject: Clearance of Projects by NBWL
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*74

TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2021

## Clearance of Projects by NBWL

## * 74. SHRI. MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) conducts post-approval assessment to ascertain the impact of its decisions on conservation and development of wildlife and forests;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the  details  of  clearances  to  various  projects  granted/issued  by  NBWL  during  the COVID-19 lockdown period between March 25, 2020 and May 31, 2020;
- (d) whether  NBWL  clearance  proposals  require  site  inspection  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e) the details of projects which were cleared through virtual mode during the said period without mandatory site inspections?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO *74 REGARDING 'CLEARANCE OF PROJECTS BY NBWL' BY SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P DUE FOR REPLY ON 23.07.2021

- (a) and (b) Proposals for developmental activities within National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Tiger Corridors and those activities requiring environmental clearance inside  Eco-sensitive  Zones  (ESZ)  around  National  Parks  and  Sanctuaries  are forwarded by State Governments for consideration by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL). The proposals are forwarded after thorough scrutiny by the State Government and the State Board for Wild Life headed by the respective Chief Ministers. Incomplete proposals are returned to  State  Governments  by  the  Ministry.  The  SCNBWL,  which  also  includes eminent  ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists, takes  informed decisions on the proposals placed for its consideration.

While recommending the proposals, the SCNBWL also imposes a condition that the annual compliance certificate on the stipulated conditions for recommended proposals should be submitted by the project proponent to the State Chief Wild Life Warden and an annual compliance certificate shall be submitted by the State Chief Wild Life Warden to Government of India. Further, SCNWBL has decided in  the  59 th meeting  held  on  5 th October,  2020  that  the  Integrated  Regional Offices (IRO) of the Ministry shall  carry out the monitoring of the  conditions imposed by the SCNBWL. Accordingly, the IROs have been requested to carry out the monitoring of the conditions imposed by the SCNBWL.

- (c) During the period between March25,2020andMay31,2020, SCNBWL held 57 th meeting on 7 th April, 2020 and recommended 26projects and deferred decisions on 7 projects.
- (d) Project  proposals  which  are  forwarded  for  consideration  of  the  SCNBWL require site inspection by the State Government officials.Besides, the SCNBWL causes  site  inspections  of  project  sites  wherever  it  is  necessary  for  making recommendations e.g. in case of proposal for Tikok OCP coal mining project by North-Eastern Coal Field, Coal India Limited in Assam, in case of proposal for upgradation of Laldhang Chillarkhal Road in buffer zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhandetc.
- (e) In view of reply to part (d), question does not arise

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