PARIVESH is a web-based application that enables online submission and monitoring of proposals seeking Environmental (EC), Forest (FC), Wildlife (WL), and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances. It automates the tracking of proposals at each stage of the workflow, making it easier to expedite the clearance process without compromising environmental safeguards.

A “Single Window” Solution

The main aim and objective of the PARIVESH portal is to provide a “single window” solution for the clearance process by automating the four major clearances. This automation ensures a transparent, effective, and expeditious decision-making process, while maintaining environmental safeguards.

Information Available on the Portal

The PARIVESH portal provides a wealth of information, including the area sought for clearance, project cost, spatial information about project location, details of Project Proponent/User Agency, Cost Benefit Analysis undertaken, status/links to associated environmental or wildlife clearance (if any), and project plan/feasibility reports/site inspection reports.

Problems with the PARIVESH Portal

While PARIVESH has the potential to be an efficient tool for environmental clearances, it has a few limitations. Some of the problems with the portal include low discoverability, decision fatigue, inappropriate project tagging, and the complexities of the clearance processes and organizational hierarchies.

Low Discoverability

Navigating through the PARIVESH portal can be complicated as information is not organized uniformly across types/categories and regions. This can make it difficult to locate the relevant information needed for the clearance process.

Decision Fatigue

The structure of the portal can make it tedious to obtain specific project information, as there are often too many steps involved in the process. This can lead to decision fatigue, which can be particularly problematic for people with limited time and resources.

Inappropriate Project Tagging

Proposals, projects, or additional attached documents are not always tagged appropriately, making it cumbersome to find them using the search function. This can result in a time-consuming process that can hinder the clearance process.

Complexities of the Clearance Processes

The complexities of the clearance processes and organizational hierarchies can make it difficult to access information related to the clearance process. This can be a barrier to transparency and efficiency, which are essential for achieving the goals of the portal.

Solution

To improve the effectiveness of the portal, it is essential to increase its efficiency manifold. Simple features, such as organizing information uniformly across types/categories and regions, streamlining the process of obtaining specific project information, and appropriately tagging proposals, projects, and attached documents, could make a significant difference.

Moreover, for effective conservation advocacy, it is crucial to have knowledge of potential areas of intervention. Therefore, a clear understanding of what happens at each level of approval is imperative.

To achieve the goal of increased transparency and efficiency in the green clearance process in India, it is essential to provide better access to information. This can be achieved by improving the PARIVESH portal’s discoverability and the ease of accessing project information.

Why In News

PARIVESH Portal serves as a comprehensive platform that ensures timely and efficient decision-making while maintaining the highest environmental standards.

MCQs about PARIVESH Portal in India

  1. What is PARIVESH?
    A. A mobile app for tracking wildlife
    B. A web-based application for environmental clearances
    C. A social media platform for conservation advocacy
    D. A software for tracking project costs
    Correct Answer: B. A web-based application for environmental clearances
    Explanation: PARIVESH is a web-based application that enables online submission and monitoring of proposals seeking Environmental (EC), Forest (FC), Wildlife (WL), and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances.
  2. What does PARIVESH automate?
    A. Proposals seeking environmental clearances
    B. Monitoring of project costs
    C. Approval of construction plans
    D. Building inspections
    Correct Answer: A. Proposals seeking environmental clearances
    Explanation: PARIVESH automates the tracking of proposals seeking Environmental (EC), Forest (FC), Wildlife (WL), and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances.
  3. What is one of the problems with the PARIVESH portal?
    A. Low discoverability
    B. Too much information available
    C. Inaccurate project tagging
    D. Lack of user authentication
    Correct Answer: A. Low discoverability
    Explanation: One of the problems with the PARIVESH portal is that navigating through it can be complicated as information is not organized uniformly across types/categories and regions, leading to low discoverability.
  4. How can the PARIVESH portal be improved?
    A. By improving its discoverability and ease of accessing project information
    B. By adding more steps to the clearance process
    C. By reducing transparency to protect sensitive information
    D. By limiting the number of proposals seeking clearance
    Correct Answer: A. By improving its discoverability and ease of accessing project information
    Explanation: To improve the effectiveness of the portal, it is essential to increase its efficiency manifold, by improving its discoverability and ease of accessing project information, appropriately tagging proposals, projects, and attached documents, and streamlining the process of obtaining specific project information.

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