The Supreme Court Monday directed the central government to set up the national environment regulator with its offices in all the states to oversee the implementation of the various projects having environmental implications.

The apex court green bench headed by Justice A.K. 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.

  Apex court, Supreme Court