Strengthening Environmental Governance: TN Introduces Two New Expert Appraisal Panels for a Greener Future

CHENNAI: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set up two State Level Expert Appraisal Committees (SEACs) for Tamil Nadu. This step aims to improve how the state manages its environment.

For the first time, Tamil Nadu will have two SEACs. A notification was published on March 6. The State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (EIAA), led by former environment secretary Syed Muzammil Abbas, will oversee these new committees. The EIAA also includes Vasudevan Namasivayam and the director of the department of environment and climate change as key members.

The first committee, SEAC-1, is headed by PWC Davidar. It consists of eight experts, including K Palanivelu from Anna University and Ashok Krishnamoorthy. The second committee, SEAC-2, will be chaired by Vellaisamy Palanikumar, with members like Suresh Gandhi and T Muruganandam.

Tamil Nadu receives about 1,500 project proposals for evaluation each year. Having two SEACs will improve the scrutiny process for these proposals. While it’s a new approach for Tamil Nadu, multiple SEACs have already been implemented in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.

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expert appraisal panels,environmental governance