MoEF wants apex body for environment

摘要

THE ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), in a serious bid to re-assess the entire ambit of environmental governance, has proposed establishment of National Environment Protection Authority (Nepa). Nepa's role would be an independent statutory body with the basic mandate of effective enforcement of environmental laws. MoEF has sought suggestions and objections for its proposal to set up Nepa. The ministry has proposed four options which include Nepa to focus on compliance and enforcement, creation of a full fledged Nepa that subsumes the Central Pollution Control Board, creation of Nepa with a separate CPCB continuing to report to MoEF and formation of Nepa with CPCB reporting to it. The ministry has made it clear that its role in framing legislation, policy making, framing acts, making of rules, coordination with the state governments and with various environment bodies would continue along with inter sectoral and inter ministerial coordination and parliamentary matters.