Indian Government Proposed to set up NEAMA

NEAMA: National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority

The Indian Government in November 2010 proposed the setting up of National Environment Assessment and Monitoring Authority (NEAMA). With the setting up of NEAMA, the government intends to introduce larger regulatory reforms and improve environmental governance. NEAMA is the revised version of the National Environment Protection Authority (NEPA). NEAMA is meant to serve as a structural set up for filling gaps in critical areas such as appraisal process and environmental clearances etc. NEAMA will compromise thematic appraisal committees (TACs) that will study the projects and then make recommend to the Environment Ministry for grant or rejection of environmental clearance. The Environment Ministry will hold the final authority to approve or reject the projects.