After delinking the environment and forest clearances for highway projects, the environment ministry is mulling over a proposal to relax clearance norms for hydro-power projects.

The ministry is considering a proposal that allows hydro-power projects to initiate the forest clearance process without even completing comprehensive river basin study.

SmartCity Kochi has failed to secure environment clearance within 45 days as declared by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on January 31. The company has not even filed a fresh application for environment clearance.

The Hindu had reported on January 30 that the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) had deferred its recommendation for environmental clearance for the first phase of the project.

New Delhi: In a bid to fast-track the process of environmental and forest clearances (EC and FC) for thermal power projects, power companies will have to furnish details about the quality of coal, such as its calorific value, sulphur content and ash content, in the initial environment management plan (EMP).

“In case of thermal power projects, which are dependent on domestic coal supply from the basket of mines of Coal India with valid EC/FC, proposals for environmental clearance would be considered, if the information on the coal quality parameters, that is, calorific value, sulphur content and ash content in respect of the mines in the basket, is provided in the EIA/EMP report,” the environment ministry said in a circular today.

Experts and mining bodies in Odisha have criticised suspension of mining in the state, saying the irregularities in the system could have been rectified while mining was still on.

They said they fear the suspension will lead to a complete ban on mining in the state on the lines of Karnataka and Goa, where the Apex Court imposed a ban in 2011 and 2012. “Closing down of mines is suicidal for the development of mineral-based industries,” said P K Jena, former directorgeneral of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and chairman of Institute of Advance Technology and Environmental Studies.

SANGAM (ALLAHABAD): Mahamandleshwar Santosh Das Ji Maharaj has asked followers and devotees visiting his camp to plant saplings, calling it a step towards environment protection.

The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has deferred its recommendation for environmental clearance to the first phase of the SmartCity Kochi project based on the inference that “the proposal submitted by the proponent had many factual errors and lacked a specific plan of environmental management”.

Stating that the SEAC had expressed its displeasure in drafting the ambitious project of the State government in such a very casual manner, sources told The Hindu that the promoter has failed to seriously consider many of the environmental factors while drafting the proposal.

Looking for new ways to deal with the rising ecological challenges in urban areas of the state, the Omar Abdullah government is sending out delegations of MLAs on study tours across the country.

Sand rates may not fall much as state removes cap on selling price

The Punjab Government has removed the cap on the price at which sand and aggregate (sand and gravel) can be sold by the sand mining contractors to the general public. As the government gears up for e-auction of 23 sand quarries across the state beginning tomorrow, consumers can expect some relief from the escalating prices of sand and aggregate.

In its report on India’s coal sector, Pune-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Prayas Energy Group has made a strong pitch for the setting up of an independent regulator to improve the performance and accountability of coal companies and provide a level-playing field. An independent regulator, however, needs to be responsible not only for issues such as pricing, quality and contract adherence, but also meeting production targets, safety, mine restoration and compliance to environmental norms.