The environment ministry has directed the constitution of a project screening committee in each state/UT for an initial review proposals involving diversion of forest land, according to this Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022. The five-member committee will meet at least twice every month and will advise the state governments on projects in a time bound manner, the rules state. According to the notification, the committee will examine every proposal received from state governments or administrations of Union Territories (UTs) without going into the merit of the proposal. Some of the things that the committee will review are whether the proposal is complete in all respects and its location with respect to restricted areas or categories. The notification added that the committee may call the user agency for any clarification or additional documents, if any. The new rules also prescribe the time frame of review for different kinds of projects. All non-mining projects between 5-40 hectares must be reviews within a period of 60 days and all such mining projects within 75 days.
[2]