Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The National Green Tribunal has asked the State project proponent to prepare an action plan for compensatory afforestation before approvals could be granted for diversion of forest land o construct the missing link at Loutolim.
Challenge in this appeal is to the grant of Stage-II Forest Clearance in favor of the Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Fatroda, Goa by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (hereinafter “MoEF&CC) for the diversion of 5.18 ha of forest land in Loutolim Village, South Goa District for construction of missing link-4-lane highway in Salcete Taluka, Goa.
The appellant’s case is that suitable afforestation has not been ensured while granting the clearance. Land for compensatory afforestation should be non-forest land.
On 10.07.2018, the Tribunal issued notice to the respondents – the MoEF&CC, Project Proponent (PP), the PWD Department, Goa, and the Forest Department, Goa.
The NGT Bench consisting of Adarsh Kumar Goel, CP, and Sudhir Agarwal, JM said that reply has been filed on behalf of the Forest Department of State of Goa.
“Nothing is mentioned therein about the grievance about the location of the site for afforestation. We are of the view that the PP has to undertake afforestation in a suitable non-forest area which needs to be approved by the Forest Department,” the NGT said.
Accordingly, NGT says, the PP may prepare an action plan with budgetary support and details of species of the trees to be planted and other details within one month to the Forest Department, Goa, who may take a decision thereon within one month thereafter.
“Till the compliance, as directed is ensured, no further action in terms of approval may be undertaken. The appeal is disposed of,” NGT said in its order.