Even as lockdown rules are eased, this is one area in which lockdown norms are likely to continue for a while. A proper environmental impact assessment had to be done, the public had to be consulted, and, finally, approval obtained from the Environmental Clearance Gods sitting in New Delhi. Alas, the Environmental Clearance Gods changed. The Environmental Clearance Gods have recently given the go-ahead to Oil India to dig for oil inside a national park in Assam. Apparently, a whole bunch of such mining and industrial units are trying to sneak into untouched forests this way, hastily aided and abetted by the Environmental Clearance Gods.

Source: Indian Express May 31, 2020 00:51 UTC