Environment and Forest Clearance

Environment and forest clearance of major development projects has always been one of the important activities of MoEF. Within the limitations and framework of various Acts and Legislations for conserving environment and forests, Baalu always took a pragmatic view while considering approval of such projects. All states including his home state, Tamilnadu were given equal opportunity in this regard. Out of the total 1408 projects given environment clearance since 1994, when EIA was first introduced, more than 50% (715) with an estimated cost of Rs.220 lakh crore were cleared during his period. Of these, 142 projects involving capital cost of Rs.26000 crore belonged to Tamilnadu.

Similarly, in respect of forest clearance, out of 10358 projects involving diversion of 8.5 lakh ha. of forest land approved since the introduction of Forest Conservation Act in 1980, over 3700 projects (36%) involving 4 lakh ha. of forest land were cleared during his period. In absolute terms, the national average of forest clearances increased manifold to 925 projects/year during October 1999 to December 2003 from 350 projects per year for the period prior to September 1999.