GoI argues that it has not barred public access but has merely aligned the system with the public oversight law, or Right to Information (RTI), by restricting ‘sensitive’ financial and proprietary information on its Parivesh website that monitors proposals seeking environment, forests and wildlife clearance. The ministry’s mandate is to protect the environment. Unfettered public access to information provides a way to counter the less-than-robust environmental impact assessment (EIA) and public consultations mandated for projects. While the ministry is legally correct in aligning access to clearance-related information to the RTI, the signalling is bad. Globally, legions of cases demonstrate the ecological and health harms that occur due to the lack of transparency and robust processes.
Development that undermines ecological and human health is not sustainable. It actually undermines development. The ministry needs to find a way to tip the balance in favour of environment and sustained growth. It can do so by being more transparent, ensuring robust checks and balances, and earning the trust of the people and project developers alike. Limiting access to information, though legal, does not help its own cause.
