Period From 1st April 2020 To 31st March 2021 Will Not Be Considered For Calculating Period Of Validity Of Prior Environmental Clearances: MoEF

The period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of existing Prior Environmental Clearances, the Ministry of Environment and Forests stated in a notification issued on Monday.

This amendment of 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment notification is made taking into account the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns declared.

This means that the ECs which are to expire this year will be valid for one more year.

The ministry stated that it is in receipt of number of requests for extension of the validity of prior environmental clearances beyond the maximum period allowed in the said notification, as the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet come to an end. The matter has been examined in the said Ministry and the concern is genuine keeping in view the fact that due to lockdowns (total or partial), continuation of activities in the field has been difficult, it is stated.

Therefore, paragraph 9A has been amended which now reads as follows

"9A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this notification, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Prior Environmental Clearances granted under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken during this period in respect of the Environmental Clearance granted shall be treated as valid."A

Also, a new clause has been inserted in paragraph 7, which reads thus:

""(ix). Notwithstanding anything contained above, the period from the 1st April, 2020 to the 31st March, 2021 shall not be considered for the purpose of calculation of the period of validity of Terms of Reference granted under the provisions of this notification in view of outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control, however, all activities undertaken during this period in respect of the said Terms of Reference shall be treated as valid.";"

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