Vadodara: With environmental clearances often emerging as a hurdle for development projects, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) chairman H K Dash on Friday held a meeting with senior civic and district officials to streamline the process of approval and compliance.Officials discussed practical challenges in processing environmental clearance proposals and stressed the need for better coordination among departments handling infrastructure, irrigation, mining and industrial projects.The meeting also reviewed provisions of the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006, including the environmental clearance process, project categorisation, compliance monitoring and the roles of various authorities at different stages.A key focus was on ensuring that conditions imposed while granting environmental clearance are strictly followed by project proponents. Officials were directed to closely monitor compliance and take timely action in cases of violations.District survey reports, particularly those related to mining, were also discussed. Officials stressed the need for scientific assessment of mineral resources and utilising them in an environmentally sustainable way.Held at the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), the meeting was attended by the municipal commissioner, district development officer, officials from SEIAA and the State Expert Appraisal Committee, as well as representatives of the revenue department, directorate of Industrial Safety and Health and Gujarat Pollution Control Board.
