The apex court green bench headed by Justice AK Patnaik said the environment regulator should be set up by March 31 this year.

Pronouncing the order, Justice Patnaik said the permission under the Forest Act will rest with the ministry of environment and forests, but the regulator will oversee the implementation of the Forest Policy of 1988.

The court said matters covered under environment impact assessment notification of 2006 will now be dealt with by the regulator.

SC asked the Centre to set of the super environment regulator with offices in as many states as possible by March 31.

The order could impact the Centre's decision to ease the tough EIA scrutiny of projects and to allow their early clearance.

The SC has asked the Centre to file affidavit by Aprill 7 on the compliance of this judgment.
(With inputs from IANS)