CIC Sridhar Acharyulu directs MoEF to compensate Environment Activist [Read Order]

The Central Information Commisioner Prof M Sridhar Acharyulu directed the Ministry of Environment and various public sector undertakings like ISRO and BARC to explain whether they have implemented the directions of the National Green Tribunal in protecting the Amrit Mahal Kavals grasslands in Karnataka. Mr. Acharyulu also directed the Ministry to compensate appellant by paying Rs 10,000 for undue denial, delay and unreasonable claim of exemption.The appellant Davis George Thomas was seeking information regarding the details of the agencies/projects in the lands ofAmritMahalKavals, ChallakersTaluk, Chitradurga District, Karnataka. As no information was received he approached the Commission in second appeal after exhausting the first appeal.The Environment Support Group (ESG), to which appellant also belonged, has filed Applications No. 6/2013 and 12/2013 before the National Green Tribunal highlighting how various public sector and private enterprises have commenced work in total disregard of Environmental laws, norms and clearance procedures. The NGT issued certain directions to Ministry of Environment protect the AmritMahalKavals lands. Appellant sought to know whether NGT order was implemented.Amrit Mahal Kavals of Challakeretaluk of Chitradurga district constitute a criticial component of the last few remaining flagship faunal species of grasslands ecosystem in India. Appellant alleged there was very little understanding of the floral diversity of such ecosystems. During 2008-10 the Government of Karnataka through the office of the Deputy Commissioner of the Chitradurga District began to divert almost all the AmritMahalKavals in ChallakereTaluk to a variety of urban, industrial, infrastructure development, research and defence related projects without consultation process of any kind. Appellant alleged that for seven projects 9273 acres of forest land was diverted for non-forest purposes and allocated for various activities as per confirmed figures besides 10000 acres are being converted to station Indian Army, which is to be confirmed.Karnataka State Pollution Control Board issued a Notice on 12th April 2011 for starting the projects without CFE and directed to start process of taking consent for establishment CFE from KSPCB immediately. Such notices were issued to occupiers such as ISRO, Indian Institute of Science IISC, Chitradurga, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre BARC, Aeronautical Development Establishment ADE, M/s Sagitaur Ventures Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, etc.High Court of Karnataka in writ petition 17954/1997 directed to protect these lands and no portion of that land in any way be diverted or illegally encroached upon. This was not appealed and thus became final and binding.Karnataka state law department rightly opined that this order binds the state including all its departments. High Court confirmed this aspect and thus the Amrit Mahal Kavals Gomala lands need to be protected.NGT directed that “the grasslands have to be protected as a wild life habitat. ....It becomes imperative to recognize the ecological, hydrological, economic and sociological role of grasslands as source of survival for millions of livestock and rural people..... Bustard species can be considered as indicators of grassland ecosystem and by conserving the bustards and their habitats, a large number of species that are dependent on the healthy grasslands can be protected. Keeping in view that these magnificent birds are now on the verge of extinction, there is an urgent need to launch Project Bustards and immediately provide all the necessary steps to ensure their survival....It becomes necessary to issue directions to the Government of Karnataka to preserve and maintain the remaining area of AmritMahalKaval lands in Chitradurga district without any diversion, thereby enabling the villagers around the Kaval lands to use the same as they have been used by them in the past”.NGT further directed:In view of fact that Amrit Mahal Kavals lands are shrinking and only a small extent remains, the Government of Karnataka is directed to firm up and finalize action plan for the protection and conservation of the said endangered species and initiate time bound execution of the plan forthwith. In this exercise, the Government of Karnataka is also directed to ensure proper and timely coordination amongst concerned departments and agencies to achieve the planned objectives.The law mandates that without obtaining the prior environmental clearances and prior consent for establishment the project proponents should not commence any activity connected to and concerned with the establishment of the project. ..it is made clear that both BARC and ISRO shall proceed with the activities either constructional or otherwise on establishment of respective projects only after obtaining environmental clearance from MoEF and consent for establishment from KSPCB, the NGT said. Karnataka Government is restrained from making any further allotment in AmritMahalKaval...

CIC Sridhar Acharyulu directs MoEF to compensate Environment Activist [Read Order]

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