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India: Eased industry regulations may endanger human rights
India's environment ministry has recently eased rules for mining, roads, power and irrigation projects and other industrial sectors. It has diluted a host of regulations related to environment, forest and tribal rights. More changes in regulations are in the pipeline. Human rights and other civil society groups are concerned about these changes. For example, Amnesty International India has warned, "Many corporate-led infrastructure projects could severely affect the rights of communities to clean air, water, health, livelihood and a healthy environment...Attempts to shut these communities out of the decision-making process are short-sighted and counter-productive."