CHANDIGARH: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has reconstituted the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority and the Expert Appraisal Committee for Chandigarh, initiating a new three-year term that will govern ecological oversight for upcoming urban developments.
As the top regulatory body, this assessment authority is charged with granting or denying environmental clearances across various sectors in Chandigarh, including industrial, infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. “The newly appointed administration guarantees that all proposed initiatives conform to established environmental standards,” stated a senior UT official.
Formation of Statutory Authority
This authority has been established under the legal frameworks of the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification of 2006, operating under centralized executive leadership.
Dr. Harsh Mitter, formerly the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden of Himachal Pradesh, has been appointed as the authority’s chairman. Dr. Randeep Singh Saini will serve as a member, while the Director of the Department of Environment for Chandigarh Administration will act as the member secretary.
Scope of Mandated Projects
The oversight of the newly formed panels is strictly limited to projects classified under Category B of federal environmental regulations. Due to Chandigarh’s unique urban setting, the focus is primarily on substantial building construction and township development, rather than heavy manufacturing.
All commercial office parks, retail malls, public hospital expansions, or residential complexes exceeding a built-up area of 20,000 square meters must obtain formal clearance before commencing. Additionally, townships that cover more than 50 hectares or have a total built-up area exceeding 150,000 square meters will undergo mandatory review.
Authorities will also assess vital municipal infrastructures, such as solid waste management systems, effluent treatment plants, and localized manufacturing units within the designated industrial zones of the city.
Structure of Technical Advisory Panel
The final approval decisions made by the apex authority will be based on scientific assessments and recommendations from a newly structured 10-member expert appraisal committee.
Dr. Avinash Kumar Sharda will chair the technical panel, which includes Professor Devinder Singh, Dr. Alka Sharma Grover, Professor Daizy R. Batish, Dr. Sarita Gupta, engineer Daljeet Singh Cheema, and Sunil Aggarwal as additional members.
The committee will also involve representation from the Central Ground Water Board and the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, with a scientist from the Department of Environment serving as member secretary.
This advisory body is responsible for reviewing environmental impact assessments and vetting project proposals before final deliberations in the board.
Operational Guidelines and Conflict of Interest Regulations
According to the official gazette notification, the committee should operate under the principle of collective responsibility, relying on majority votes if the chairman cannot reach a consensus. To prevent conflicts of interest, officials must disclose any previous consultancy engagements and are prohibited from preparing environmental assessments for any projects currently under evaluation during their tenure. If a committee member provided consultancy services to a proponent in the last five years, they must recuse themselves from related appraisal meetings. Additionally, the Chandigarh administration will set up a dedicated secretariat to offer comprehensive financial and logistical support, including accommodation and transportation services.
