Govt mulls biodiversity test for green nod

Union environment and forests minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Friday said they are planning to include biodiversity assessment as part of its green clearance process for infrastructure process – something which was not needed till now.

The announcement coming on the eve of the Conference of Parties (CoP-11) on Biodiversity, which India is hosting in Hyderabad this October, could spell trouble for industry in the country. Industry and some other union ministries have repeatedly complained of environment and forest clearances being a hurdle in India’s development as delay in clearances often hold up their infrastructure projects.

“No biodiversity clearance is needed till now, but efforts are on to include biodiversity assessment as part of environment and forest clearance process,” said Natarajan.

Till now, only socio-economic impact on displaced people and impact on forests is considered environmental or forest clearance is given to any project across the country.

India accounts for around 7% of the world’s biodiversity and the announcement would surely bring a smile on faces of environmental activists as they had been demanding inclusion of biodiversity assessment, while giving green clearances to projects, to assess the loss caused by them. The move, however, could be worrisome for industry.

India is a recognised mega-diverse country rich in biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge. With just 2.4% of land area, India accounts for nearly 7% of the recorded species even while supporting almost 18% of human population as well as cattle population.

“The biotic pressure on our biodiversity is therefore immense. The event provides India with an opportunity to consolidate, scale up and showcase our initiatives and strengths on biodiversity. India with a strong institutional, legal and policy framework, has the potential and capability to emerge as the world leader in conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,” said Natarajan while briefing about CoP on biodiversity at Hyderabad starting October 1.

The high-level segment starting October 16 will be inaugurated by prime minister Manmohan Singh and several ministers and ambassadors are likely to attend the international event.