Netravati Samrakshana Samyukta Samiti to Hold Ratha Yatra
Mangaluru: “The application (0. A. 391/2016; Chennai Bench N0:49/ 2015) submitted by Purushotham Chitrapur on behalf of the Netravati Samrakshana Samyukta Samiti in Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal, New Delhi has been taken for inquiry by The Chairman, Justice Swatanter Kumar on 11 Nov. 2016. Advocate M C Mehta appearing for the applicant argued and stressed that in the pretext of providing drinking water, all projects related to Netravathi and Yettinahole in the Western Ghats intend to divert the Netravathi River water to the east and damage the Netravathi River basin. Because of this the Western Ghats and its environment will undergo irreparable damage and there is a fear that in the long run, the Netravathi River will become dry. The chairman of the NGT showed interest to study the matter in detail and asked the advocates to present a detailed argument on the application and submit complete information on the various issues involved in the case. He decided to hear the matter on the 2 of December 2016”, said the President of the NRSS Vijaykumar Shetty in a press meet held at Hotel Woodlands here on November 17.
Addressing the mediapersons Vijaykumar Shetty said, “After hearing the arguments of Advocate M C Mehta and Advocate M Dutta, Chairman of NGT Justice Swatantra Kumar has asked the representative of MOEF, what action has been taken on the direction given by NGT to M0EF on 15 February 2016 relating to the deemed forest and protection of the Eco-sensitive area in the Western Ghats in relation to state of Karnataka. He expressed his dissatisfaction and asked why MOEF has not yet taken the final decision on the matter.”
Vijayakumar also said, “The NRSS will hold a Ratha Yatra from December 11 to 13, to bring awareness to the people. The Ratha Yatra will be flagged off from Subramanya which will pass through Dharmastala – Ujire – Beltangady – Guruvayanakere – Uppinangady – B C Road – Mangaluru – Suratkal – Mulky and Kateel.
Prof Mayya speaking to the mediapersons said, “The NGT in its order dated February 15, 2016, has given the following directions:
We direct the State of Karnataka to ensure that a notification in relation to the declaration of forest / deemed forest area should be processed and notified within three months from today. Not only the notification, but steps should be taken by the State Government for physical demarcation of such areas.
The State Government shall also examine what activities should be permitted in such area while keeping in mind the restrictions imposed under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
We direct the MoEF to expedite the issuance of the Notification under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. All the State Governments which have not submitted their objections, if any, to the draft notification shall submit the same Within two months from today. In the event any State Government does submit its objections to the MoEF, it should be presumed that the State Wishes not to raise any objections to the draft notification. Thereupon MOEF should proceed to issue a final notification in relation to the Western Ghats without further delay.
The MoEF would issue a letter to the Chief Secretary of each State within one week from today communicating the order of the Tribunal to the respective States through the Chief Secretaries.
Secretary, MoEF shall constitute a team majorly forming part of the State Government and the Ministry itself to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the carrying capacity of the Western Ghats region in the State of Karnataka to sustain the projects as proposed. The said study should be submitted to the MoEF as well as to the State Government with a copy placed on record before the Tribunal. The study must relate to all projects including eco~tourism.
We make it clear that all the above directions are subject to the orders passed or which may be passed by the Hon‘ble Supreme Court of India in the matters pending before the Apex Court.
The parties are granted liberty to move for clarification of any of the direction if the need so arises.
