Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 – Insertion of Paragraph 9-A

27th November, 2020

Whereas, the Central Government in the erstwhile Ministry of Environment and Forests in exercise of its powers under sub-section (1) and clause (v) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) has published the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the said notification) vide number S.O.1533(E), dated the 14th September, 2006, making the requirement of prior environmental clearance from the concerned regulatory authority mandatory for all new projects or activities listed in the Schedule to the said notification, their expansion and modernization and/or change in product mix, as the case may be, before any construction work or preparation of land by the project management except for securing the land; And whereas, in view of the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent

S.9-A Insertion of Paragraph 9-A

In the said notification, after paragraph 9 and before paragraph 10, the following shall be inserted, namely—

“Notwithstanding anything contained in this notification, the validity of prior environmental clearances granted under the provisions of this notification in respect of the projects or activities whose validity is expiring in the Financial Year 2020-2021 shall deemed to be extended till the 31st March, 2021 or six months from the date of expiry of validity, whichever is later. Such extension is subject to same terms and conditions of the prior environmental clearance in the respective clearance letters, to ensure uninterrupted operations of such projects or activities which have been stalled due to the outbreak of Corona Virus (COVID-19) and subsequent lockdowns (total or partial) declared for its control”.