Green panel nixes Min’s request to exempt it from prior approval for gas pipeline repair

A central green panel has rejected the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas’ (MoPNG) request to exempt it from taking prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 while carrying out repair, maintenance, upgradation and widening works of hydrocarbon pipelines across the States.

The Directorate of Hydrocarbon (DoH), under the MoPNG, had sought exemption similar to that for roads and transmission lines which do not have to take mandatory approval from the central panel.

Refusing to give the nod, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), under the Union Environment Ministry, however, argued that hydrocarbons and oil pipelines work usually ends up in breaking of forest land, resulting in felling of trees as well as damage to the surrounding vegetation and fauna.