The Centre for Environment and Law, NUALS,
Kochi in association with the Enviro-Legal Defence Firm, Delhi will be
conducting a National Workshop on “Deciphering the Enviro-Legal Clearance
Processes in India” on 24th September, 2016. The workshop is of
monumental significance during a time when development projects are being
obstructed by virtue of hindrances such as corruption and non-adherence to established
protocol. The aim of this one-day workshop would be to shed light up on the
processes involved in obtaining clearances in the enviro-legal gamut across a
wide ambit delving into areas such as forests and protected areas, use of urban
spaces, collection of biological resources, exploitation of surface water and
ground water or even projects within coastal regulatory zone.
Background
Off late, several
controversies have arisen regarding various kinds of enviro-legal clearances
given to development projects. Corruption and by-passing of procedures have
been alleged as the bane of these projects with immense cost to environment and
public interest. Much of these problems arise due to lack of awareness amongst
the public, civil society organizations and the project proponents themselves
on the mandatory compliances provided within a very detailed legal framework.
The aim of this one-day workshop would be to throw light on the step by step
processes concerning clearances in the enviro-legal gamut, whether it is in
reference to resources within forests and protected areas, use of urban spaces,
collection of biological resources, exploitation of surface water and ground
water or even projects occurring within coastal regulatory zones. The outcome
of this workshop would be the creation of a concise manual which highlights
these processes in a simplistic manner with support and inputs from the
Enviro-Legal Defence Firm, Delhi and backing of the Centre for Environment and
Law, NUALS, Kochi. The final
objective of the workshop is to broaden the horizon with regard to awareness on
enviro-legal clearances on not just a local platform, but a national one as
well.
Objectives
·
To provide
clarity on the process to be followed by project proponents, be it in the context
of forests, coasts, industrial infrastructure, usage of biological resources,
so on and so forth.
·
Awareness
building amongst academicians and students on the entire gamut of clearance
process.
·
To come out with
a brief manual on clearance process with the help of Enviro-Legal Defence Firm
as an overall outcome of this Workshop.
What Participants will learn
· Ascertain clarity on the process to be followed by project proponents, be it in the context of forests, coasts, industrial infrastructure, usage of biological resources, so on and so forth.
· Increased awareness on the entire gamut of clearance process.
· An overall understanding of all the environment clearances being currently implemented in India.
Resource Persons
CR Bijoy
Currently, involved with the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD). Part of Technical Advisory Committe, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, on Strengthening National Capacities in the Tribal Affairs. Also invovled as Resorce person on Forest Rights Act, 2006 for Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India (2012-14). Involved with people's organisation and independent research for the last 27 years.
Harish
Vasudevan
Practicing lawyer in the High Court of Kerala and National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench, Chennai. Won several honours which include scholarship from 'Asser Institute Hague', RIFA Environmental Award 2014. He also served as the National campaigner in 'Ban Endosulfan campaign' & co-ordinator of 'One Earth One Life'. Resource person of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, Kerala.
Shyama
Kuriakose
Senior Associate, Enviro-Legal Defence Firm (ELDF) from 2011 onwards, involved in training, publication, litigation and consultancy projects on laws and policies governing Biodiversity, Self- Governance especially in the scheduled area context, Oceans and Renewable Energy, Water, Forests, Environment Protection and Disaster Management, enviro-legal issues concerning ports and plantation sector and Disaster Management.
Om Prakash
Kaler
He served in the Kerala Forest Department as an Indian Forest Service officer (IFS) for 30 years. He administered and managed various protected areas and Tiger Reserves of Kerala for 25 years in various capacitites. Authored a book called "Managment Plans" of certain tiger reserves in Kerala. Was awarded the Chief Minister's Award for Innovaations in Public Policy . He retired as APCCF (BDC) in 2016.