NGT Questions Environmental Clearance for Iron Ore Pellet Plant in Sundargarh |
Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change on an appeal against environmental clearance granted to an iron ore pellet plant in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.
NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata issued the notice on Wednesday after hearing submissions by advocate Sankar Prasad Pani, representing local activist Chittaranjan Mahanta and 10 villagers who filed the petition.
The petitioners have challenged the environmental clearance granted on May 13 for the project in Kapand area under Kaptipada tehsil, citing ecological concerns. They argue that the plant’s proximity to Kukia reserve forest and other protected areas within a 10-km radius threatens local wildlife and endangered species.
“The project poses a serious risk to tribal livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem,” the petition claimed, noting that the proposed site is surrounded by forests and hillocks on three sides, raising concerns about pollution in the area.
NGT bench of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing of the matter on Dec 18.
Notices were also issued to the chief secretary, additional chief secretary of state forest and environment department, chairman of the State Biodiversity Board and the divisional forest officer of Rourkela.
The case first came to light when villagers approached NGT in 2021, alleging unauthorised construction and tree felling across 167 acres of land. The tribunal had then ordered a stay on construction activities and tree felling. In Aug 2023, following an independent committee’s assessment, NGT directed the ministry to decide on the environmental clearance within three months.
Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change on an appeal against environmental clearance granted to an iron ore pellet plant in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.
NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata issued the notice on Wednesday after hearing submissions by advocate Sankar Prasad Pani, representing local activist Chittaranjan Mahanta and 10 villagers who filed the petition.
The petitioners have challenged the environmental clearance granted on May 13 for the project in Kapand area under Kaptipada tehsil, citing ecological concerns. They argue that the plant’s proximity to Kukia reserve forest and other protected areas within a 10-km radius threatens local wildlife and endangered species.
“The project poses a serious risk to tribal livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem,” the petition claimed, noting that the proposed site is surrounded by forests and hillocks on three sides, raising concerns about pollution in the area.
NGT bench of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing of the matter on Dec 18.
Notices were also issued to the chief secretary, additional chief secretary of state forest and environment department, chairman of the State Biodiversity Board and the divisional forest officer of Rourkela.
The case first came to light when villagers approached NGT in 2021, alleging unauthorised construction and tree felling across 167 acres of land. The tribunal had then ordered a stay on construction activities and tree felling. In Aug 2023, following an independent committee’s assessment, NGT directed the ministry to decide on the environmental clearance within three months.
NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata issued the notice on Wednesday after hearing submissions by advocate Sankar Prasad Pani, representing local activist Chittaranjan Mahanta and 10 villagers who filed the petition.
The petitioners have challenged the environmental clearance granted on May 13 for the project in Kapand area under Kaptipada tehsil, citing ecological concerns. They argue that the plant’s proximity to Kukia reserve forest and other protected areas within a 10-km radius threatens local wildlife and endangered species.
“The project poses a serious risk to tribal livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem,” the petition claimed, noting that the proposed site is surrounded by forests and hillocks on three sides, raising concerns about pollution in the area.
NGT bench of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing of the matter on Dec 18.
Notices were also issued to the chief secretary, additional chief secretary of state forest and environment department, chairman of the State Biodiversity Board and the divisional forest officer of Rourkela.
The case first came to light when villagers approached NGT in 2021, alleging unauthorised construction and tree felling across 167 acres of land. The tribunal had then ordered a stay on construction activities and tree felling. In Aug 2023, following an independent committee’s assessment, NGT directed the ministry to decide on the environmental clearance within three months.
Cuttack: National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a response from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change on an appeal against environmental clearance granted to an iron ore pellet plant in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.
NGT’s east zone bench in Kolkata issued the notice on Wednesday after hearing submissions by advocate Sankar Prasad Pani, representing local activist Chittaranjan Mahanta and 10 villagers who filed the petition.
The petitioners have challenged the environmental clearance granted on May 13 for the project in Kapand area under Kaptipada tehsil, citing ecological concerns. They argue that the plant’s proximity to Kukia reserve forest and other protected areas within a 10-km radius threatens local wildlife and endangered species.
“The project poses a serious risk to tribal livelihoods and the surrounding ecosystem,” the petition claimed, noting that the proposed site is surrounded by forests and hillocks on three sides, raising concerns about pollution in the area.
NGT bench of judicial member B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks and scheduled the next hearing of the matter on Dec 18.
Notices were also issued to the chief secretary, additional chief secretary of state forest and environment department, chairman of the State Biodiversity Board and the divisional forest officer of Rourkela.
The case first came to light when villagers approached NGT in 2021, alleging unauthorised construction and tree felling across 167 acres of land. The tribunal had then ordered a stay on construction activities and tree felling. In Aug 2023, following an independent committee’s assessment, NGT directed the ministry to decide on the environmental clearance within three months.
