Centre Rejects National Environmental Regulator, Keeps Existing Clearance System

• Centre rules out establishing a National Environmental Regulator (NER), opting to continue with the existing environmental clearance system.
• The decision goes against a 2011 Supreme Court recommendation from the Lafarge judgment for an NER.
• The current system relies on independent expert appraisal committees at central and state levels for project clearances.
• Environmental clearances are processed through the transparent, online PARIVESH portal.
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) functions as an independent appellate authority for environmental clearances.

Why It Matters: Government rejects new environmental regulator, continuing current environmental clearance system.