Environment ministry unveils online system for submission and monitoring of forest clearance proposals

New Delhi: The environment ministry has unveiled an online system for submission and monitoring of forest clearance proposals, mirroring the online system for environmental clearances launched a month ago in an effort to improve accountability and transparency. The ministry now plans to ensure that both environmental and forest clearance for projects are given simultaneously.

The 'Online Submission and Monitoring of Forest Clearance Proposal' (OSMFCP) is aimed at minimising the need for human interface between project applicants and green ministry officials both at the Centre and state level.

"These measures were intended to bring in more transparency, efficiency and accountability in grant of regulatory clearances. Online submission of application for environment clearance was launched on June 15. From July 1, the entire system has gone online and progressing well. A month after that, forest clearance will also be online from today. I can say today that ours is 'online' as well as 'on time' ministry," Environment minister Prakash Javadekar said at the launch of OSMFCP.

This single-window forest clearance system is intended to enhance ease and efficiency in the process, reduce the turnaround time, and bring in standardisation in processes at the regional and state level. Every proposal will be identified through a unique number, which will be used for future reference. The ministry hopes that the system will help ascertain the cause of delay in the clearance process, as every action on the portal will be notified to the stakeholder.

Eight kinds of users - including the state government, various levels of the forest administration, user agency or project proponent - will be able to access the records.

The system will guard against one of the most common infirmities that have contributed to delays in forest clearance - the submission of incomplete application - as an acknowledgement will be given only if the proposal is complete. The status of the proposal will be updated at each transaction and this will be reflected in reports that will be available in the public domain. The new system will enable real-time monitoring of the proposals, officials said.

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