Team Herald
PANJIM: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, has dismissed a petition challenging expansion of MRF project at Usgao, as the applicant failed to prove violations of environmental norms.
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NGT, Principal Bench, in an order passed via a video conferencing has said that “in absence of any material to show any violation of Wetland Rules, damage to any water body or evidence of violation of environmental norms, we do not find any ground to pass any further order. The application is disposed off”.
The social activist Kashinath Shetye had filed a application before NGT for stopping construction of MRF Factory on land bearing Survey No. 259. Other prayers were to maintain wetlands as per the Wetland Rules, by removing the encroachments from the embankment of River Khandepar. Prayer was also to demolish a Bandhara (check dam) built by MRF near the river.
The applicant has stated that there are 11 rivers sustaining the Goan eco-system with 42 tributaries which are not only the source of potable water but also support the eco-system
The applicant had pointed out that the unit is a ‘red’ category industry as it involves manufacturing of tyres but has been wrongly classified as ‘orange’ category. Its raw material involves synthetic rubber etc. and the manufacturing process results in harmful gases and liquids. Waste water discharge from the unit is harmful for the water bodies, being acidic in nature.
Pointing to the submission made by the State government, NGT said that the expansion of the project will also not affect the 19 river or any other wetland. The issue of protection of wetland is being independently dealt with and 10 wetlands around the project in question are likely to be notified as protected wetlands, including the Khandepur River.
The Goa Wetland Authority in a letter to Water Resources Department has said that the buffer zone of 50 meters is required to be maintained as protected, till declaration of water body as wetland.
