In a major breakthrough for the protests against the Center's controversial draft Environment Impact Assessment 2020, the Karnataka High Court has given a big blow against the Center's draft by directing to restrain from publishing the final draft notification.

After hearing the plea that was moved by the United Conservation Movement to seek the directive of staying the draft, the High Court has, on Wednesday, noted that the draft notification was only published in English and Hindi and not in the local languages in which the people will understand the draft. The High court has constrained the Center from releasing the final notification until the draft has attained wide publicity in the local languages and until the adequate time limit given to the public to share their views and objections about the draft. 

Putting out the argument, the Central government's counsel, during the hearing, said that the official draft notification can only be published in English and Hindi. The counsel further stated that the center has been following with the state Environment Impact Assessment authorities for wide publicity about the draft EIA 2020  in the local languages. 

Following the hearing, the High court bench comprised of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AS Kinagi said that there has been no wide publicity about the draft notification and directed the center to restrain from publishing the final notification and it also has directed the Center to reconsider the last date for filing objections. The directive has come at a high time when the draft had stirred massive outrage from the activists, environmentalists, and experts that the draft goes against nature, environment, and against the interests of people.

The draft has been dubbed to poses a severe threat as, if enacted, would nullify the rights of people and permits the industries to begin or expand the projects without the environmental clearances and it also would lower the grounds of having the people's opinions and objections on the project. 

The activists have also criticized the Center for not releasing the draft EIA 2020 in all 22 official languages of the country. Various stakeholders, including the environmentalists, youth groups, and celebrities have voiced against the draft. The Central government has fixed the deadline of receiving views and objections from the public and the deadline comes to an end by August 11, 2020. After issuing fresh orders to the Center, the Karnataka High Court has adjourned the hearing on September 7.