India: Draft EIA Notification to Be Available in Local Languages

The controversial Draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2020, which was initially open only for a short period in limited number of languages will now be available in local languages, assures the Central Government at the Madras High Court. Last month, the Centre had informed the Delhi High Court that the Draft EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) will be translated and published in 22 vernacular languages. The Court was hearing a few petitions requesting that the Draft EIA notification, 2020, be translated into vernacular languages. An additional aspect of the plea ie., the Draft EIA Notification, 2021 being issued without proper public consultation, was pointed out as well. The court asked the Centre to address this issue as well.