Cricket stadium: Centre stays forest clearance
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 23
Goa Foundation counsel Ms Norma Alvares today informed the High Court via an amendment that the Ministry of Environment and Forests has taken a decision to hold its forest clearance for the International Cricket stadium, at Tivim, in abeyance.
The amendment application sought to bring the Ministry’s order, dated February 3, on record in the proceedings.
The Foundation also drew the attention of the Court to the Forest Conservation guidelines which indicate that in those projects where a part of the lease has forest, no work can commence on the entire project until and unless the part has a forest clearance.
The PIL filed by the Goa Foundation challenges work that has commenced under Phase I of the project.
The Goa Cricket Association gave an undertaking two months ago that it had halted all Phase I work after the PIL was taken up for hearing by the High Court.
The petition seeks restoration of the 125 trees felled for the project and of the paddy fields that have since been destroyed to make way for the cricket pitch.
