Interim order also prohibits waste dumping in river
TEAM HERALD
NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal on Tuesday passed an interim order barring permission to any new offshore casinos on the Mandovi River in Goa and prohibited the existing ones from dumping any material in the river.
The five-member principal bench headed by Justice Dr P Jyothimani also directed the Goa Pollution Control Board to conduct an inspection on their waste disposal and file a status report at the next hearing on September 30.
Sudip Narayan Tamankar had moved the tribunal saying that the establishment of offshore casinos and hotels causes environmental pollution, apart from hazardous waste polluting the river.
“Considering the issues raised, which are of grave nature, we are of the view that balance of convenience in granting an interim order is in favour of the public at large,” the tribunal held.
“Respondents Nos. 2 to 6 (all state govt agencies) are directed not to grant any permission for any new establishment of offshore casinos. Apart from that, existing offshore casinos are restrained from dumping any materials in the river Mandovi, Goa, until further orders. The Goa Pollution Control Board (Respondent No. 3) shall conduct an inspection and file a status report on the next date of hearing,” the ruling states.
The tribunal also transferred the case to its western zone bench for the next hearing at Pune since the complaint relates to that zone. It directed issue of notice of change of place of hearing to all concerned and transfer of all papers by the registry to Pune.
The applicant has made owners of all seven casinos on the Mandovi River as also the Goa government and its related departments as respondents.
