(a) whether an Expert Committee set up by the Government have suggested changes in the environment laws;

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED

QUESTION NO:

4673

ANSWERED ON:

23.03.2018

Changes in Environment Laws

ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

Will the Minister of

ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether an Expert Committee set up by the Government have suggested changes in the environment laws;  (b) if so, the details thereof;  (c) whether the recommendations of the Expert Committee are under consideration of the Government; and  (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the Government intends to amend the existing environment laws?  ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE  (DR. MAHESH SHARMA) (a) and (b) A High Level Committee headed by Shri T.S.R. Subramanian has made several recommendations, which inter alia, include enacting of a new umbrella Environmental law; Setting up of national level institute on Environment; new systems and procedures of handling of Municipal Solid Waste; System of empanelment of consultants; streamlining of process of environment clearance, etc.  (c) and (d) Several recommendations made by High Level Committee does not require changes in the environmental laws and no specific time lines can be indicated for changes in the legislation.