Western Ghats issue: NGT pulls up MoEF, dubs it ‘most messy’
10 Sept 2014 5:39 AM IST
The environment ministry, which had junked the report on Western Ghats by Madhav Gadgil, told the tribunal that it casts doubt on both the reports (Gadgil and K Kasturirangan) and wants to do physical demarcation by conducting a survey.
‘This ministry is most messy ministry,’ a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, after perusing an affidavit filed by MoEF, said.
During the hearing, the tribunal rapped the ministry for filing affidavit in a ‘vague language’ and directed its secretary to file a fresh affidavit within one week.
‘In variance to the stand taken by the MoEF earlier on the last date of hearing, the counsel appearing for MoEF, upon instructions from, Dy Director, MoEF, has stated that Dr Kasturirangan report, in fact has been accepted by MoEF and the draft notification has been issued in furtherance thereto and the WGEEP (Gadgil report) is not to be processed by the ministry any further.
‘In the affidavit which has been brought before the tribunal today, again a vague language has been used which suggests that objections may be filed by any person interested on the proposals contained in the draft notification, including those relating to the area proposed to be brought under the regulation. Thus, we direct the Secretary, MoEF to file an affidavit on this aspect within one week from today,’ the bench said.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by NGOs Goa Foundation and Peaceful Society, which had sought to restrain the authorities from granting fresh nods to projects in the region.
‘This ministry is most messy ministry,’ a bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, after perusing an affidavit filed by MoEF, said.
During the hearing, the tribunal rapped the ministry for filing affidavit in a ‘vague language’ and directed its secretary to file a fresh affidavit within one week.
‘In variance to the stand taken by the MoEF earlier on the last date of hearing, the counsel appearing for MoEF, upon instructions from, Dy Director, MoEF, has stated that Dr Kasturirangan report, in fact has been accepted by MoEF and the draft notification has been issued in furtherance thereto and the WGEEP (Gadgil report) is not to be processed by the ministry any further.
‘In the affidavit which has been brought before the tribunal today, again a vague language has been used which suggests that objections may be filed by any person interested on the proposals contained in the draft notification, including those relating to the area proposed to be brought under the regulation. Thus, we direct the Secretary, MoEF to file an affidavit on this aspect within one week from today,’ the bench said.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by NGOs Goa Foundation and Peaceful Society, which had sought to restrain the authorities from granting fresh nods to projects in the region.
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