New Delhi, Apr 18: The Environment Ministry has decided to expedite forest clearances to projects, for which it would soon call a meeting of the officials concerned.
‘Following a meeting held by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Ajay Narayan Jha last week, a decision has been taken to review the status of pending forest clearance and expedite the process,’ the Ministry said in a statement here today.
Special Secretary RR Rashmi will hold a meeting, in which all officers concerned from the Ministry, Nodal Officer, Regional Officer to which the Project Proponents will be invited.
The meeting will review the cases where the projects have been apprised by the Expert Appraisal Committees and recommended the grant of Environmental Clearance, but are being held up because of Forest Clearance – Stage I.
The Ministry has also decided that all Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) will hold at least two meetings in the month of April and May this year for the appraisal of projects, with special emphasis on projects pertaining to different Ministries.