TopicEnvironment Ministry

Topic: Environment Ministry

‘Won’t dilute safeguards’, Modi govt defends environment clearance ranking system for states

Simrin Sirur - 25 January, 2022

Govt's new system for rating states on environmental clearance has drawn much criticism from environment experts, who say it could lead to hasty clearances.

Cheetah ‘all set to return’ to India 70 years after it went extinct in the country

PTI - 5 January, 2022

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched an action plan under which 50 of these big cats will be introduced in the next 5 years. The cheetah went extinct in 1952 in India.

Oil drills, safaris — Amendments to forest act could increase economic activity in reserved areas

Simrin Sirur - 5 October, 2021

On 2 October, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change published a document with 14 proposed changes to FCA allowing more economic activity in protected areas.

Regional offices can now grant forest clearance to ‘supplementary’ mining projects

Simrin Sirur - 8 September, 2021

This means clearances required for additional roads, railway lines, and conveyor belts attached to mining projects need not come from the central government

Govt hails IPCC climate crisis report, says India stand on developed nations’ role ‘vindicated’

Simrin Sirur - 9 August, 2021

Amid pressure from the West to cut emissions to net zero, India has maintained over the years that bulk of responsibility for climate action lies with global north.

After delay due to Covid, Delhi govt says first smog tower will be ready by 15 August

PTI - 10 June, 2021

The Delhi cabinet had approved the Rs 20-crore project in October last year. The 20-metre-tall structure, being set up to improve air quality, is being constructed at Connaught Place.

‘Misappropriation’ of funds, lack of transparency in environment ministry schemes: MPs’ panel

Simrin Sirur - 9 March, 2021

Committee found the overall utilisation of funds by the ministry ‘satisfactory’, but raised concerns over implementation of ‘Control of Pollution’ and afforestation schemes.

Caught between SC & Centre, 24 Uttarakhand hydel projects stuck on paper after 2013 floods

Bhadra Sinha - 16 February, 2021

Despite 31 Supreme Court hearings and 3 government committee reports, a clear policy on hydroelectricity projects (HEPs) in Uttarakhand has remained elusive.

Yamuna oxygen levels below detection limit in 5 states, UP has most polluting drains — govt

Bhadra Sinha - 11 February, 2021

In affidavit submitted to Supreme Court, pollution control board and environment ministry say 100 of 150 drains are emptying untreated sewage into Yamuna, Haryana & Delhi need an action plan.