Noida Park: Centre against construction
The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that it could not grant environmental clearance for construction of statues and memorials for dalit leaders at a park in Noida if Uttar Pradesh government does not take measures for the area’s ecological restoration.
In an affidavit before a special forest bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia, the ministry of environment and forest said given the complex nature of the project and its adverse impact on surrounding biodiversity and its proximity to Okhla bird sancturay, it will not grant clearance.
Citing a report of the Bombay Natural History Society, the MoEF said until and unless the actions suggested by the institute are undertaken and discharged by the state, it would be unable to grant clearance as “it would gravely prejudice the sanctity and integrity of the adjoining bird sanctuary which is home to many critically endangered species”.
The Expert Appraisal Committee of the ministry, which reviewed the three environment impact assessment reports prepared by the UP government, has also suggested certain measures to be taken by the state for getting clearance of the Rs 650 crores project.
“The MoEF is unable to grant environmental clearance to the project until and unless all the conditions laid down both by BNHS in their report as well as the conditions laid down by the EAC are satisfied,” the affidavit said. The actions suggested by the EAC included increase in greenery, restriction on use of ground water, creation of noise barriers in the form of thick plantation, no artificial illumination and proper disposal of solid wastes. The BNHS has in its report submitted to the MoEF said the UP government should declare eco-sensitive zones based on the guidelines of the ministry besides asking for plantation of native species of plants. —PTI
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