ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by Manju MenonSubscribe to Manju Menon

Narratives of Natural Resource Corruption and Environmental Regulatory Reforms in India

The shifting discourses on the purposes, objectives, and forms of India’s environment regulations are discussed within the broader domestic, political, and economic contexts. The environmental law reforms are being designed to legalise and protect financial investments in projects, irrespective of their environmental performance, and to monetise their impacts and damages.

 

Environmental Regulation in India

In a bid to fast-track environmental clearances for industrial projects, the Narendra Modi government constituted a high-level committee in 2014 under T S R Subramanian to review key environmental laws. In the context of the controversial recommendations made by the T S R Subramanian Committee to ease environmental norms and dilute people's participation in environmental governance to stimulate economic development, the article takes a critical look at the functioning of the Environmental Impact Assessment regime in India since its inception in 1994.

Executive's Environmental Dilemmas

The High-Level Committee set up by the Narendra Modi government to review the major laws relating to environment protection has, in its recommendations, worked towards two sets of objectives: one, to separate business from the messiness of governance, and, two, to redraw the line of demarcation between the judiciary and the executive.

Fielding Trials for Genetic Engineering

The manner in which the United Progressive Alliance government approved field trials of genetically engineered crops in the last few weeks of its term in office speaks poorly of its regard for the decision-making process.

The Nature of Green Justice

The National Green Tribunal has taken over from the National Environment Appellate Authority though the changeover has not been smooth. The tribunal has signifi cant powers and its rulings will affect the lives and livelihoods of communities as well as the future of ecologically fragile ecosystems. A look at the factors and issues it will have to consider while rendering environmental justice.

Diversion of Protected Areas: Role of the Wildlife Board

Between 1998 and 2008, the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife considered 244 cases for diversion of protected areas. It approved diversion covering 2.88% of the area proposed, while rejecting a shift in a smaller area (0.87%). The rest of the area proposed for diversion still awaits a decision. The board has been meeting infrequently and the decision-making process has been slow.

From Impact Assessment to Clearance Manufacture

The newly appointed environment minister, Jairam Ramesh's statement supporting industry demands to speed up environmental clearance for development projects is unfortunate as it will weaken the already inadequate procedures for environmental impact assessment. Not only will this be calamitous for nature and the communities living at the project sites, it will also lead to delays as the affected people challenge such clearances in courts of law. The better course would be to strengthen the environmental clearance process and make it transparent.

Re-engineering the Legal and Policy Regimes on Environment

Environment impact assessment was supposed to be a critical tool in environmental decision-making. But it has been re-engineered to severely reduce its usefulness as an instrument for public participation in decision-making. This article, written against the backdrop of proposals for a new coastal regulation zone notification, analyses the different characteristics of environmental regulations and the new environment policy, and shows how a new perspective facilitates speedy clearance of projects that affect people's livelihoods and the environment.

Coastal Zone Management:Better or Bitter Fare?

Is the proposed coastal zone management notification designed for better management of the coasts? What evidence exists to show that conservation and sustainable livelihoods are the objectives of this new set of rules. This article examines the content and process behind this notification.

Environmental Decision-making:Whose Agenda?

Despite revisions in the environment impact assessment notification in 2006, the deficiencies have not been overcome. As a result, environment impact assessments, which assess a project by technical means as well as public opinion, are hardly thought of as important decision-making tools.

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