SRINAGAR: The Union Government today constituted State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Jammu and Kashmir and in consultation with the state government formulated State Level Expert Appraisal Committee to assist the authority.
According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Environment Impact Assessment Authority shall be headed by Lal Chand resident of Village Khearian, Gole Gujral, Jammu.
The Authority comprises Nazir Ahmed as its member and Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, J&K its Member Secretary. “The Chairman and members of the Authority shall hold office for a term of three years, “the notification reads.
Further to assist the Authority, the Government of India in consultation with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir constituted State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, which shall be headed by Subhash Chandra Sharma. The members of the committee are M. A. Tak, Braj Bhushan Sharma, Abdul Rashid Makroo, Professor Arvind Jasrotia and Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Dar.
Moreover, Irfan Yasin (Vice Chairman, Retired), Professor M. A. Khan, Professor Falendra Kumar Sudan, Professor Anil K. Raina, and Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo are its members.
While as Scientist, In-charge Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Lab is Secretary of the Committee the Chairman and members of the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee, Jammu and Kashmir shall hold office for a term of three years, the notification reads.
It further said that the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee shall function on the principle of collective responsibility and the Chairman shall endeavour to reach a consensus in each case, and if consensus cannot be reached, the views of the majority shall prevail.
The Govt of J&K has notified Directorate of Environment & Ecology in Forest Department as Secretariat for the Authority. The Directorate shall provide all financial and logistic support including accommodation, transportation and such other facilities in respect of all the statutory functions of the Authority.