500 Academicians, Scientists Write to Environment Ministry for Withdrawal of Draft EIA Notification

As many as 500 academicians, scientists and researchers from various educational institutes across the country have urged the environment ministry to withdraw the controversial draft EIA notification and strengthen the existing EIA 2006 notification with a new proposal. In yet another letter, the signatories from 130 institutions have listed their concerns regarding the draft Environment Impact Assessment notification, which has been surrounded by controversy since its release, and asked the ministry to withdraw it as it could adversely affect the environment and dilute the clearance process. "This cross-institutional collaboration, initiated by PhD students from different institutes, was supported by 105 faculties, former faculties and senior scientists, along with over 400 PhD scholars, post-doctoral research fellows, independent researchers and other research students, who have all signed the letter in their personal capacities," a press note released by the signatories said. The draft EIA notification was issued by the ministry on March 23 with public opinions and suggestions invited till August 11.