New Delhi: Non-coal mining project developers will not have to show proof of land acquisition as a pre-requisite for environmental clearance now, according to a recent environment ministry memorandum.
So far, the ministry required proof of land acquisition.
However, the norm was reconsidered following requests that consent from landowners should not be insisted upon at the time of grant of environmental clearance (EC) for non-coal mining projects and the status of land acquisition should not be linked with the grant of the clearance.
“The matter was referred to the non-coal mining Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for consideration. After due deliberation the sectoral EAC observed that the request for delinking the consent from landowners at the time of grant of EC for non-coal mining projects, appears to be reasonable and can be accepted,” an official memorandum of the ministry said.
“Further, the EAC, inter alia, also observed that there are many mining projects where mining operations have started after grant of EC and land acquisition is still in progress in a phased manner based on requirement,” it said.
The order noted that “the recommendations of the non-coal mining EAC were examined and comments and inputs on the applicability of the OM (office memorandum) dated 7th October 2014, as amended, on other sectors were also sought. Based on the inputs received, it was observed that insisting for land acquisition
documents at the time of appraisal for EC may not be practical for certain other projects”.
Environmental clearance is a mandatory government approval process for projects with potential environmental impacts — such as mining, infrastructure and industry — aimed at ensuring a balance between development and ecological protection.
The process requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public consultation to identify and mitigate environmental harm before approval.
The matter was referred to the non-coal mining Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for consideration.
The EAC observed that the request to delink landowner consent from the grant of environmental clearance for non-coal mining projects appeared reasonable and could be accepted.