It said EIA reports usually contained detailed technical information, including data on strategic locations, critical infrastructure, development plans, site coordinates and other sensitive material that would require controlled access.

This measure is in line with provisions under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, related regulations, and operational procedures set by the department.

However, it said EIA reports remain fully accessible either online or physically at designated locations during the stipulated review period to allow public scrutiny and feedback.

The department added that public access to the executive summary of EIA reports is available through designated platforms based on submitted applications.

“This approach is aimed at balancing public access to information with the protection of technical documents, while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and national security interests,” it said in a statement.

Earlier, a local news portal reported concerns raised by NGOs over the level of transparency and public access to EIA reports managed by the environment department.

The report claimed that the department’s EIA database was at times inaccessible and that important details, including information on the schedule classification of specific reports, were no longer available.