Newly Constituted SEIAA-SEAC Members Joint Meeting Discusses Environmental Governance, Assessment, and Impact

ITANAGAR I Mar I 24 :

The Joint Meeting of the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State-Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) of Arunachal Pradesh was successfully held at Papum Hall, DK Convention Centre, Itanagar. The meeting was conducted in the presence of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

The newly constituted members of SEIAA and SEAC in attendance included Dr. U. Prakasham, Chairman, SEIAA; Dr.Prakash Nageshrao Thirumali, Chairman, SEAC; Samuel Changkija, IFS, Member Secretary, SEIAA; D. Dohu Robin, Member Secretary, SEAC; and other esteemed members of SEIAA & SEAC.

The meeting commenced with a welcome address by Samuel Changkija, IFS, who emphasized the significance of sustainable environmental governance in Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr. Anjan Chamuah, Programme Officer, EIACP, DoEFCC, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the roles and responsibilities of SEIAA and SEAC in environmental assessments and approvals. 

Following this, D. Dohu Robin provided an insightful overview of the regulatory framework governing SEIAA and SEAC operations. He reiterated that project proponents must obtain Environmental Clearance (EC) before applying for Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO), as mandated by the MoEF&CC, Government of India, and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders.

The MoEF&CC, Government of India, has reconstituted the SEIAA and SEAC for Arunachal Pradesh for the period from 28th January 2025 to 27th January 2028, as per Notification SO 515(E) dated 28.01.2025. As per Clause 11 of the notification, the State Government is required to provide logistical support for the travel, accommodation, and operational requirements of SEIAA and SEAC. The State Government has designated the Director of Environment as the Secretariat for SEIAA and SEAC, Arunachal Pradesh.

PCCF & HoFF, P. Subramanyum, made key recommendations, including enhanced dissemination of EC information by ensuring timely access via the Parivesh 2.0 portal to relevant departments and SEIAA/SEAC members. He also emphasized the need for streamlining the EC process by developing a structured procedural framework with a clear checklist for project assessments. Additionally, he stressed regulatory clarity by providing comprehensive guidelines for project proponents regarding submission requirements and compliance procedures. He further recommended conducting monthly or bi-monthly meetings, either offline or in hybrid mode, to address emerging concerns related to environmental clearances.

Dr. P. N. Thirumali, Chairman, SEAC, highlighted the need for effective sand accumulation methodologies to protect riverbeds, suggesting Kerala’s sand mining monitoring system as a potential model for Arunachal Pradesh. 

Dr. U. Prakasham, Chairman, SEIAA, elaborated on the Parivesh 2.0 platform, explaining its role in processing EC and Terms of Reference (ToR) applications. He also stressed the importance of GIS and mapping technologies in evaluating project proposals for environmental compliance.

Tapu Gapak, Retd. CCF & Member, SEIAA, shared insights from a recent site visit, noting that certain areas fall under eco-sensitive zones. Given the presence of high-quality dolomite, he recommended formulating an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) before project approvals. 

Dr. Damodhar A.T, Conservator of Forests (WL&BD), presented an overview of Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity and forest cover, emphasizing the need for scientific research and sustainable environmental policies.

The SEIAA and SEAC reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring stringent environmental safeguards while facilitating balanced and sustainable development in Arunachal Pradesh. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by D. Dohu Robin, Director of Environment & Member Secretary, SEAC.

The programme was coordinated by the EIACP PC Hub, Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Arunachal Pradesh.