Page 143 - DGH_Annual_Report

Environmental and Regulatory Oversight in India’s ream Oil & Gas Sector 143

• Objectives of the Unified Petroleum responsibly, with due regard for environmental
Lease: conservation, biodiversity, and community
interests.
Streamline administrative procedures
8.2.2 Evolution of Statutory Clearances in
Reduce delays associated with multiple India
approval stages
The concept of environmental protection in India
Improve operational efficiency is deeply rooted in constitutional mandates,

Facilitate faster initiation and scaling up of cultural values, and legislative instruments.
exploration and production (E&P) activities Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,
the term environment is broadly defined as:
Clearances Beyond Licensing
"Environment includes water, air and land and
In addition to acquiring the requisite PEL, PML, the inter-relationship which exists among and
or the new Petroleum Lease, project developers between water, air and land, and human beings,
must secure a suite of statutory clearances to other living creatures, plants, micro-organisms
commence operations. These include: and property."

Environmental Clearance (EC) under the EIA This holistic view emphasizes the
Notification, 2006. interdependence of natural and human systems,
forming the basis for India’s comprehensive
Forest Clearance (FC) under Van (Sanrakshan statutory framework governing environmental
Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 clearances and sustainable development.
(amended in 1988 and in 2023).
Constitutional Mandates for Environmental
Wildlife Clearance under the Wildlife Protection
(Protection) Act, 1972 (where applicable).
Environmental stewardship is enshrined in the
Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Constitution of India, creating both a directive
Operate (CTO) under the Water and Air Acts obligation on the state and a fundamental duty
issued by State Pollution Control Boards. for citizens:

While the lease confers preferential access Article 47: Directs the State to improve

rights to the block, no exploration or production public health and the standard of living.
activity can commence without securing these
mandatory clearances. This layered process Article 48A: Mandates the State to protect

ensures that resource development proceeds and improve the environment and safeguard
forests and wildlife.