Assam: Draft EIA is a blueprint to destroy state’s biodiversity, says Ripun Bora

The draft EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) Notification, 2020 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is a blueprint prepared by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to destroy the biodiversity of Assam, state Congress president Ripun Bora said on August 6^th, 2020.

“EIA-2020 facilitates post-facto clearance which mean the illegal coal mining in Assam will now get a chance to be legalized by the BJP,” Bora tweeted.

The Assam Congress has continuously been raised vehement opposition to the Centre’s move saying that the draft EIA could spell disaster for the fragile ecology of the state along with other parts of the country.

“The draft EIA poses an existential threat to the wildlife, aquatic life and nature. It is an undemocratic draft and against the fishing community, farmers and other tribal communities across the country,” Bora said on August 4^th, 2020.

Also read: Assam Congress objects to draft EIA, writes to Environment Ministry

The Leader of the Opposition, Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia July 28^th, 2020 dashed off a letter to the Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar explaining his objections to the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This was the latest in the exchange of letters between the two on the draft EIA.

The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change had called for suggestions and objections to the draft by August 10th, 2020, after which it is to be notified.

In the letter, Saikia stated: “This proposed law is objectionable primarily because it paves the way for ‘posto-facto’ clearance of projects in eco-sensitive zones and sidesteps input by communities likely to be adversely affected by such projects. In fact, private companies concerned can even prepare their own EIA reports by engaging private consultants. This is a travesty of natural justice and a body-blow to the rights of indigenous people over their own land.”

He further explained why the proposed law can have an adverse impact on the entire region. “This is extremely dangerous for Assam and the northeast in general in view of the damage which has been already caused by mining/drilling operations in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park/Biosphere Reserve and Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary areas.”

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