17 Jan 2024  |   07:26am IST

No unloading, loading of mineral ore at Kalay Rly Station till Jan 23: HC

Passes status quo order on basis of PIL writ petition by Goa Foundation; Claude Alvares sought to argue that such activities could not be undertaken in Wildlife Sanctuary, in view of several provisions of Wildlife Act, 1972; matter posted for interim relief on January 23

Team Herald

PANJIM:

The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday issued a status quo order on the unloading and loading of mineral ores imported by railway at the Kalay Railway Station in Sanguem taluka till January 23.

The Court passed its order on the basis of a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by the Goa Foundation through its Secretary Claude Alvares, which sought to argue that such activities could not be undertaken in the Wildlife Sanctuary, in view of several provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1972.

Posting the matter for interim relief on January 23, the Court said, “This means that until the next date, there should not be further loading or unloading of ore and even unloaded ore should not be transported from where it is already.”

One of the main issues involved in this petition is whether this activity of loading and unloading of iron ore and its transportation can be undertaken without obtaining permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Pointing out that there is prima facie material on record to suggest that this activity is within the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), the Court order stated, “Accordingly, we think that until the replies are filed and the matter is heard for interim relief, a status quo should be maintained at the site”.

The petitioner had contested that there is a bar on the carrying out of any such activity within the Wildlife Sanctuary, which is not in the interests of better management of the wildlife. He stated that prior consent of the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Sanctuary was required for any activity in the Sanctuary in terms of Sections 27, 28, 29 and 33 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.