All Assam Students' Union opposes draft EIA 2020

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The AASU (All Assam Students' Union) has alleged that the Government of India has refused to protect forest and wildlife and develop the environment that have been entrusted to it by the Constitution of India.

Submitting a memorandum to the Centre opposing the draft EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) Ordinance, 2020 on Tuesday the students' body said that draft EIA 2020 Ordinance is a glaring example of the Centre's refusal to do as the Constitution of India has entrusted it to do on the Environment.

A statement issued to the media on Wednesday by AASU president Dipanko Kumar Nath and general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said, "With a view to simplifying the process of setting up of industries, the Centre has neglected the issue of protection and conservation of environment, forest and wildlife. The draft allows environmental clearance even after setting up of an industry. Our stand remains that the progress of the country should be ensured without destroying forest, wildlife and the environment. Public opinion and environmental clearance should be taken before the setting up of any industries. "In case of projects on rivers, the opinion of the riparian people in the downstream is a must… Since our culture and the environment are intertwined, we had to oppose the draft EIA 2020 after taking all pros and cons into consideration."

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