Forest ministry reconstitutes statutory green bodies

SHILLONG, April 24: The Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change has re-nominated former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Meghalaya, TTC Marak, Environment Impact Assessment expert and former Commissioner of National Green Tribunal, Naba Bhattacharjee as Chairman of State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), respectively.
The two statutory environment regulatory bodies – SEIAA and SEAC – were reconstituted by the Union Ministry vide a notification published in the Gazette of India on April 22.
Other members of SEIAA include HJ Syiemlieh of the Botany Department, NEHU and the Chief Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry and Environment, Meghalaya, as the member secretary.
The members of SEAC comprise of former PWD Chief Engineer, MR Sangma; HoD of Botany department, NEHU, Highland Kayang; retired Chief Conservator of Forests, PS Nongbri; Associate Prof, Environment Studies, NEHU, SS Chaturvedi; Associate Prof, Geology, St. Anthony’s College, VJJ Wallang and Associate Prof, Geography, St. Edmund’s College, GL Kharkongor, with DCF, Social Forestry and Environment, Meghalaya, as member secretary.
The term of both SEIAA and SEAC shall be for three years from the date of issue of the notification, the Ministry’s notification said.
The terms of the previous bodies had expired in November, 2021.
The SEIAA, comprising senior retired bureaucrats or technocrats, grants environment clearance based on recommendations made by the SEAC which comprises of qualified and experienced sector experts.