Sustainable development is the focus of the nation and people today need cleaner greener cities believes N Krish nakumar, chairman of State Environment Impact Assess ment Authority (SEIAA). In an interview with Oppili P, he talks about the need for public partici pation and how the authority will scrutinise developmenta projects to ensure minimal natu ral resources are not exploited.
What is your plan to reduce environment impact as head of the SEIAA?
Today there is a need for bal anced growth. Economists and ecologists have to work together. Natural resources, human capital and economic productivity, have to be collectively managed with citizens taking responsibility. Each proposal will be scientifically analysed to ensure minimum disturbance to the environment while assuring economic growth, livelihood and social stability and infrastructure development.
Laws are aplenty but implementing them is an issue, how is the SEIAA planning to take on the challenge?
There are many laws. But more than rules, people's awareness is more important to protect the environment and natural resources. This year's World Environment Day theme is connecting people to nature. Food, wood, health, water, soil security will be available in future only if we consciously connect with nature so as to get the best ecosystem of goods and services rendered to us.
What kind of projects does the authority approve?
Projects requiring clearance include buildings, hospitals, sand and rock quarries, I-T parks, apartment complexes and infrastructure develop ment projects. The body regulates industrial and construction activities with the objective of protecting the environment by suggesting appropriate measure to control pollution of air and water and also pushes for disposal of solid wastes using cleaner technologies.
What is the procedure adopted for allowing sand quarrying in the state?
The clearance is given by the project proponents with environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports that are scrutinised and approved by the SEAC (State Environmental Appraisal Committee). It is then forwarded to the SEIAA for clearance. The sand quarry projects are assessed and permitted as per the sustainable sand mining management guidelines 2016 of the ministry of environment.
Does a team of experts evaluate these proposals?
The SEAC is headed by a chairman and is a 13-member committee of members who have experience in the areas of hydrology, geology, forestry and environmental sciences. The SEIAA is a three-member team including the chairman, a member with experience in environmental management and the director of the department of environment. Thus the requests of environmental clearances are scrutinised by a competent team.
