The indiscriminate encroachment of forest land in the two districts of Latehar and Palamu has become a major cause of concern for the forest authorities here.

Once again, linear projects to get forest clearance without consent of village gram sabhas

Environment and forest minister Veerappa Moily on Wednesday rolled back a major hurdle in the forest clearance process for projects like roads, transmission lines and pipelines that pass through villages and forest land, reintroduced in July 2013 by his predecessor Jayanthi Natarajan.

Ultra mega power projects need not identify land to get forest clearance

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paved the way for faster implementation of ultra mega power projects (UMPP) on Wednesday, easing the requirement for private players to identify nonforest land for compensatory afforestation, which is a time-consuming process and essential for getting forest clearances.

The blocks could be retrieved in the next 4 to 6 weeks post review, the SC informed on Wednesday

At least 41 coal blocks could be de-allocated after a review that would be completed within the next four to six weeks, the government told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Show cause notices have already been issued in these cases.

Govt seeks to move away from a command and control system to one based on self monitoring

After whittling the clearance backlog, Environment Minister Veerappa Moily is now focusing on another demand of industry—a predictable and structured forest clearance system.

Cabinet secretariat seeks views of industry chambers on project hurdles by January 23

The government has kicked off a fast-track review of the cumbersome procedures involved in green clearances that often take years and are considered by industry as the single-biggest drag on India’s investment momentum, stalling projects worth several lakh crores of rupees. It has also sought India Inc’s views on the new environment regulator mandated by the Supreme Court.

Odisha govt also seeks detailed work plans of projects along with milestones and timelines from them

The state government has urged developers of non-major ports to submit the proposals for forest clearances with the required documents like gram sabha resolutions, DGPS (differential global positioning system) survey and FRA (Forest Right Act) certificate by January 31.

Environment Ministry rejects Vedanta's plan to mine Niyamgiri

The Union Environment Ministry has taken a decision in two high profile cases, rejecting the forest clearance for Vedanta’s bauxite mining project in Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, and renewing the stand-alone environmental clearance for Posco’s eight million tonnes per annum steel plant.