PANJIM: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has dismissed an appeal filed challenging the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the proposed Integrated Solid Waste Management Plant (ISWMP) at Bainguinim.
The Bainguinim Citizen Forum (BCF) had approached NGT challenging the EC granted to the project by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
The appeal was filed on 04.02.2020. The Tribunal issued notice on 17.03.2020 to the respondents i.e. the project proponent, State of Goa, State PCB, SEIAA, EAC, Water Resources Department and the Town and Country Planning Department of Goa.
A detailed reply has been filed the project proponent on 05.09.2020 to the effect that the site 2/4 identified prior to the year 2006 and the land was acquired for the purpose in that year. The application was challenged before the High Court in WP No. 734 of 2013 which was upheld. The State PCB approved the site in the year 2005 and granted in principle’ authorization. In 2016, the authorization was renewed till 2021. The Town and Country Planning was requested to freeze all the developments within 500 meters, in the year 2010.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal for setting up the waste management facility in the year 2017. DPR was prepared in 2018.
The facility is required for waste management. The High Court, vide order dated 11.07.2019 in WP No. 02. Of 2017, directed the setting up of the waste management facility for protection of the environment. The EAC duly conducted the appraisal in terms of the Impact Assessment Notification of 2006. EIA report was duly prepared
