Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa government has declined to file an affidavit in response to an appeal before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune, challenging the Environment Clearance (EC) granted to Vedanta Limited for operating the Bicholim mine.
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The appeal, filed by activist Swapnesh Sherlekar and others, seeks to quash the EC issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on January 23, 2024, allowing Vedanta to mine 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of iron ore over a lease area of 478.5206 hectares in Bicholim taluka.
During a recent hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the Tribunal that he does not want to file a response. Meanwhile, the MoEF&CC requested a one-week extension to submit its affidavit. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) managed to file its affidavit despite technical difficulties during the e-filing process.
The NGT granted the appellants two weeks to file their rejoinder to Vedanta Limited’s affidavit. The case is now scheduled for further consideration on February 20, 2025.
The appellants argue that the clearance was issued without proper consideration of environmental concerns.
