To propel socio-economic development and combat environmental degradation in the SAS Nagar district, Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain announced that projects worth crores of rupees are currently underway. In her project progress review, she noted that 82 projects were recommended by the State Environment Impact Assessment Agency (SEIAA) for environmental improvement based on socio-economic development. Six of these projects have been completed, and nine more are nearing completion.
Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain directed Sub Divisional Magistrates in their respective sub-divisions to reassess additional environmental activities by project proponents for completed projects. She emphasized the need to monitor whether the remaining projects are on track for timely completion and urged strict action against those not adhering to the timeline.
Ensuring timely compliance with Environment Clearance (EC) Conditions and implementing prescribed Additional Environment Activities (AEA) is mandatory for project proponents. Deputy Commissioner Jain emphasized the importance of properly implementing AEAs prescribed by SEIAA, which involve substantial financial commitments for environmental improvement in project vicinities.
The projects encompass various additional environment activities such as adopting villages or schools for environment-related initiatives, establishing water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, installing solar panels, and tree plantation. These activities aim to mitigate environmental degradation by adopting eco-friendly techniques.