The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has reconstituted the Union Territory Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the Union Territory Level Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for Chandigarh for a three-year term. This action is taken under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.
New Leadership for Chandigarh Environment Impact Assessment Authority
The Chandigarh Environment Impact Assessment Authority will now be led by Dr. Harsh Mitter as Chairman. Dr. Randeep Singh Saini, an Environment and Quality Management Practitioner, will serve as Member, while the Director of the Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, will act as Member Secretary. Dr. Mitter previously served as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden for the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. He has also contributed to the census of heritage trees in Chandigarh.
The authority is responsible for considering environmental clearance proposals and making decisions based on the recommendations of the EAC. The Chairman and members will hold office for three years from the date of publication of the notification.
Constitution of the Expert Appraisal Committee
The central government has also constituted a 10-member Union Territory level EAC to assist the authority in evaluating projects requiring environmental clearance. Dr. Avinash Kumar Sharda of Panchkula will chair the committee. Other members include Professor Devinder Singh of Patiala, Dr. Alka Sharma Grover of Chandigarh, Professor Daizy R. Batish from the Department of Botany at Panjab University, Chandigarh, Dr. Sarita Gupta of Panchkula, Er. Daljeet Singh Cheema of Chandigarh, and Sunil Aggarwal of Jagraon, Ludhiana.
Representatives from the Central Ground Water Board and the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee will also serve as members. A Scientist-SD from the Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration, will function as Member Secretary.
Decision-Making Process and Transparency
The notification stipulates that the authority will make decisions based on recommendations from the EAC. All decisions are expected to be made unanimously during meetings. However, if a decision is taken by majority, the details of dissenting and supporting views must be recorded in the minutes and communicated to the central government. The EAC will operate on the principle of collective responsibility. The chairman will strive to reach a consensus in each case, but when consensus is not possible, the majority view will prevail.
To ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest, the notification requires members of both the authority and the committee to disclose any associations with consulting organizations and project proponents. Members are not permitted to undertake consultancy assignments related to projects that are to be appraised or decided during their tenure. Furthermore, any member who has provided consultancy services or conducted environmental impact assessment studies for a project proponent within the preceding five years must recuse themselves from the appraisal of such projects.
Administrative and Logistical Support
The Chandigarh Administration will designate an agency to act as the secretariat for both bodies and provide financial, administrative, and logistical support, including accommodation and transport facilities. Sitting fees, travel allowances, and dearness allowances for members will be paid in accordance with the rules applicable to the UT Administration.
Significance of the Reconstitution
The reconstitution of the authority and expert committee is significant because these bodies play a key role in the environmental clearance process for infrastructure, housing, industrial, and other developmental projects in Chandigarh. This move is expected to ensure continuity in environmental governance while maintaining regulatory oversight and environmental safeguards for future development in the Union Territory.
