From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 9, 2010 at 9:16 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] MoEF hears NAPM and Lavasa today: NAPM asserts gross violations
To:
A Wing First Floor, Haji Habib Building, Naigaon Cross Road
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529 E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
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9th December, 2010
MoEF hears NAPM & Lavasa
NAPM asserts violation of environmental laws and need to keep the work of Lavasa stopped.
The High Court of Mumbai, through its interim order of 7th December, directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) to give a hearing to the Lavasa (Lake City Corporation) and National Alliance of People's Movements, the petitioners before the High Court. Both the parties had to present their cases on whether or not the work at Lavasa should remain stopped until the final decision on the project is taken by MOEF. The next hearing fixed by the High Court on the 16th of December, implies that MOEF has to make its final decision on stopping the work of the project before that date.
Before the MoEF today, Lavasa's team of officials, along with consultants from Vaishnavi Communications, were present. NAPM was represented by Suniti S.R., Vishwambhar Choudhary, and Medha Pathar.
Lavasa made a presentation on how they have taken up various conservation measures claiming that there have been no damage to the environment, but rather benefits have accrued! Referring to large-scale investment and plans, they saw action to stop work as drastic and unjustified. It also claimed that they had clearances under the laws of the state, from the state-level authorities and central clearance was not necessary.
The NAPM team, on the other hand, put forth the various facts and documents to show how Lavasa fell within the framework of Environment Protection Act 1986 (1994 Notification, 2004 Amendment, and 2006 Notification) and hence central clearance was necessary but never obtained in spite of the state government's warnings. While Lavasa denied that the project area, at least partly, was above 1,000 metres, NAPM claimed otherwise on the basis of the certificate from the District Collector, Pune. With thousands of square meters of construction, 1,600 crores already spent, and more than 2 lakh population to be stationed, Lavasa certainly requires central clearance.
NAPM also brought attention to the fact that the planned hill city is to be spread across 25,000 acres. Lavasa presented a master plan for only 12,500 acres and was granted NOC's or in-principle clearances, for varying area (7,000 or 400 or 4,000 or 6,181 hectares) and ultimately, an environmental clearance from the state government for 2,000 hectares. Lavasa has presented the project in parts and parcels as a strategy, undertaken significant work and investment, appropriated natural resources illegally, not fulfilling the conditions put by the state authorities, and certainly not seeking the necessary central clearances.
It was, therefore, claimed and asserted that the Ministry has not just the responsibility but a duty to protect the fragile ecosystem and the living human communities in the Western Ghats region and the Mose River Valley. It is necessary to avoid any further irreversible and irreparable damage which has been on-going without the necessary clearance, assessment, and monitoring
The meeting concluded with the MOEF asking the parties present to make their written presentations by tomorrow evening, while pointing out that Lavasa has not produced data and documents, including maps, which the MOEF asked for through its Show-Cause Notice to be produced within 15 days (by December 8th). The Mumbai High Court has fixed the next hearing for December 16th.
For NAPM:
Madhuresh Shrikanth Virali Leelabai
Ph: 09423571784 / 09423965153
Medha Patkar
Narmada Bachao Andolan,
62, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Badwani, Madhya Pradesh – 451551
Ph: 07290-222464; Fax: 07290-222549
E-mail: medha.narmada@gmail.com ;
nba.medha@gmail.com
National Alliance of People's Movements; National Office: Room No. 29-30, 1st floor, 'A' Wing, Haji Habib Bldg, Naigaon Cross Road, Dadar (E), Mumbai - 400 014;
Ph: 022-24150529
E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
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--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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