NEW DELHI: Member of the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar holds the independent charge of Environment, Forests & Climate Change as well as Information and Broadcasting portfolios.
Javadekar has initiated the process for the devolution of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority funds, which will ensure the transfer of `30,000 crore to the states.
The ministry also introduced a system of online monitoring of the industrial discharge into the Ganga. Forty-six non-complying polluting industries were closed down.
Applications for environment and forest clearance can now be made online. Its latest conservation initiatives include introduction of standard operating procedures for orphaned tiger cubs, approval for a special tiger protection force and setting up of the Bor tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
The process of granting permission for forest diversion up to 40 hectares for developmental projects and for forest diversion for all linear projects like road, rail, canals, has been decentralised.
The construction of industrial sheds in industrial estates beyond 20,000 sq m has been granted exemption from environmental clearance.
The I&B Ministry holds “Chai Pe Charcha” meetings every day at 9:00 am to discuss the issues requiring urgent attention, which has ensured more synergy and coordination within the media units of the ministry.
The ministry adopted a 360-degree approach to information dissemination, ensuring a simulcast on all platforms and started training government staff on social media.
