Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has withdrawn its star rating system introduced in January 2022.

The move follows a legal challenge by the Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Association and was recorded in an order by the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal.

What Was the Star Rating System?

Parameter	Details
Purpose	To assess State Environment Impact Assessment Authorities
Rating Scale	0 to 7 stars
Basis of Evaluation	Speed and adherence to timelines in granting clearances under the EIA 2006 notification
Linked Portal	PARIVESH 1.0 and planned for PARIVESH 2.0

Stated Objectives of the System

Streamlining environmental clearance to boost infrastructure development.

Reward SEIAAs performing efficiently.

Prompt underperforming authorities to improve performance.

Concerns Raised

By Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Association

Main Arguments:

The system prioritized speed over environmental scrutiny.

It risked dilution of environmental safeguards especially in ecologically sensitive coastal and marine zones.

It was arbitrary focusing on performance metrics rather than ecological outcomes.

About Parivesh

Aspect	Details
What is PARIVESH?	A web-based, role-based workflow application for online submission and monitoring of proposals for Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ clearances.
Purpose	Enables seamless submission, tracking, editing, and monitoring of proposals at Central, State and District levels.
Upgraded Version	PARIVESH 2.0
Technologies Used	GIS, Advanced Data Analytics
Key Benefits	Faster decisions on green clearances, robust compliance monitoring, full online appraisal and clearance process
Key Modules	Know Your Approval Know Your Customer Decision Support System
Online Processing	Category A and B Environmental Clearances Forest Clearance (FC) Wildlife Clearance (WL) CRZ Clearance (with 9 State CZMAs onboarded)
Integration with NSWS	Completed in October 2023 under Option 3 Plus Users can register and onboard on PARIVESH through NSWS API-based data exchange
Integration with Gati Shakti	Map-based integration with projects planned on Gati Shakti Forest cadastral maps of Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and part of Tripura
Data Sharing with Gati Shakti	Layers like EC/FC/WL/CRZ approvals, Protected Area Boundaries, Eco Sensitive Zones pushed to Gati Shakti
Overall Objective	To ensure efficient, transparent, and tech-driven processing of environmental clearances and support sustainable development

Sources:

NEWINDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the implications of introducing performance-based star-rating systems for environmental regulators in India. Should efficiency metrics override ecological concerns? 250 Words.