[ad_1]
Thiruvananthapuram: The National Green Tribunal ,NGT) has canceled the Environment Clearance (EC) issued for the expansion of the mixed land use (master plan) project by dragonstone realty at Pvt Ltd Technopark Phase III Premises (non-SEZ plot) and imposed a penalty of Rs 15 crore on the project proponent for bifurcating the project into core and expansion projects.
Judicial Member Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana delivered the verdict. NGTSouthern Zone, Chennai, in an appeal filed by environmentalist Thomas Lawrence against issue of EC for proposed expansion of mixed land use project.
The total project cost is Rs 800 crore and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had issued the EC in March 2021.
The mixed land-use building construction project occupies 3.937 hectares, with a built-up area of 2,71,164.4 square meters. The sanctioned built up area is 1,33,491 Sq.mt. The additional built up area is 1,37,673.4 Sq.mt.
NGT quashes EC holding that Environment Clearance by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for main Phase-III and Environment Clearance by State Environment Impact Assessment Authority for Phase III expansion project is equal to the division of . And such action was in violation of the order of the Supreme Court judgment in another case of 2020.
Imposing a fine of Rs 15 crore on the project proponent, the NGT ordered that the fine imposed should be paid within three months to the Integrated Regional Office, MoEF&CC, which would be used for reclamation of wetlands in the district.
It is also ordered that no further work shall be carried out under the Phase III expansion project without obtaining EC.
The NGT has also recommended the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to take appropriate action against the officials who were responsible for granting environment clearance for the Phase III project.
The judgment states that SEIAA, Kerala, which should have comprehensively considered the project and considered Phase-III as a mindless expansion, is also liable for its conduct.
NGT directed the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority to re-examine the proposal and ensure that the project proponent conducts a cumulative impact study for the entire Phase-III with a built-up area of 2,71,164.4 sq. mts. Project a Cumulative Impact Assessment for the project and also identify the mitigation measures that can be taken in the Phase-III project area where construction has already been completed to ensure that adverse impacts due to the construction of the Phase-III main project do not occur. Environmental impact, if any, is addressed.
The state government had earlier rejected a petition filed by Thomas Lawrence, challenging the conversion of the land for the Phase III Technopark complex development and alleging destruction of wetlands for the purpose.
[ad_2]
Source link