A new environment ministry rule may make clearances smoother, but raises fresh concerns

Until now, development projects proposed in protected areas, like wildlife sanctuaries or national parks, could seek forest and wildlife clearances simultaneously. But henceforth, they will have to follow a sequence: first, they will have to obtain a wildlife clearance and only then can they seek a forest clearance.

The decision was announced by the environment ministry through a letter on July 8, 2024.

Wildlife clearances are issued by the standing committee of the National Board of Wildlife, which is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation. Forest clearances, which must be procured by projects in protected areas, as well as those in areas that are not protected but are forested, are issued by the forest appraisal committee in a separate process.

Apart from these, projects must also procure an environmental clearance, which is issued by an expert appraisal committee.

Environmental experts have demanded some streamlining of the clearance process in the past. In 2014, the Centre for Science and Environment wrote that “multiplicity in the clearance/permitting process is a major problem that leads to poor decision making and also sustains unscrupulous activities”, and that a “holistic system” was needed to “integrate” permissions from pollution control boards, and environment, forest, and coastal clearances.

“In protected areas, prioritising the...

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