Greens raise red flag over move to give EC power to local bodies

Environmentalists have raised the red flag over chief minister Vijay Rupani’s recent announcement to decentralise Environmental Clearance for construction projects.

Till now, environment clearance was handled by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), which is an expert body. However, local bodies will now have the power to issue environment clearance. 

The state government made the announcement after the central government, in June 2016, decided to decentralise this power in a bid to give a boost to affordable housing projects. 

Currently, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) gives Building Use (BU) permission. Town and estate department officers issue BU certificates after an inspection of site where parameters like fire safety, lift services and tree plantation are taken into consideration. 

However, after being entrusted with the power to issue EC, environmentalists fear rules will be thrown to the wind.

Environmentalist Mahesh Pandya from Paryavaran Mitra, who believes the move spells environmental disaster, said, “First of all, the announcement by the chief minister is illegal. Rupani has made the announcement to appease the builder lobby. I have filed an RTI (Right to Information) query with three departments including the chief minister’s office, environment department and GPCB.” 

Another environmentalist, Manish Vaidya from Centre for Ecology Action Front said, “Builders anyway don’t follow rules on tree plantation and water treatment plant which are mandatory. We know that most buildings do not have water harvesting systems and most builders evade tree plantation by paying a fine.” 

Leader of opposition Dinesh Sharma this would lead to corruption. “It will provide builders an easy escape from environmental responsibility because civic authorities easily give nod to builders under pressure from influential politicians.”

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) said it was considering working in sync with urban local bodies on the issue. “The Urban Development Department is yet to frame rules and regulations in this regard. But we will work jointly with ULBs,” said GPCB chairman KC Mistry.