NEW DELHI: The National Environment Policy (NEP) is intended to guide the Government in bringing about regulatory reforms, implementation of programmes and projects for environmental conservation, besides reviewing and enacting legislation.

The draft policy, cleared by the Cabinet after two years, has also been described as a statement of India's commitment to making a positive contribution to international efforts.

The dominant theme of the policy is to ensure that the livelihood of people dependent on forest products is secured from conservation than from degradation of the resources.

It focuses on conservation of critical environmental resources, livelihood security for the poor, integration of environmental concerns in economic and social development and judicious use of the resources.

To achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.

Review of assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment will continue to be the principal methodology for appraisal and review of new projects. The assessment processes are being revised. Under the new arrangement, there will be significant devolution of powers to the State/Union Territory level.

It also seeks to revisit the Coastal Regulation Zone notifications to make the approach to coastal environmental regulation more holistic and, thereby, ensure protection to coastal ecological systems, waters and the vulnerability of some coastal areas to extreme natural events and potential sea level rise. Involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies has been highlighted in the draft NEP that will include capacity development initiatives. A large-scale exercise has been completed for providing inputs towards a national biodiversity strategy and action plan.

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