The National Green Tribunal (NGT) principal bench, taking suo motu cognizance of a news report regarding alleged disturbance to the common man’s life and environmental destruction caused by the Netravati Riverfront Promenade Project in Mangaluru, has issued an order for the establishment of a joint committee to investigate the matter and submit a report of inspection.
Key Decision by NGT
Chairman Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Members A. Senthil Vel and Afroz Ahmad passed the order, also considering a letter dated December 13, 2023, by the National Environment Care Federation (NECF), Mangaluru, which highlighted alleged violations of environmental norms in the project execution by Mangaluru Smart City Limited.
Composition of the Committee
In its March 5 order, the bench specified that the committee should include representatives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, and National Centre for Coastal Research, with the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner overseeing the inspection.
Purpose of Inspection
The committee is tasked with visiting the project site, assessing the factual situation, and determining the extent of environmental norm violations during project execution. Their findings will be submitted to the appropriate bench of the Tribunal.
Transfer of Case
As the NGT’s Southern Bench in Chennai is already handling an original application filed by NECF against the project, the principal bench directed the transfer of the suo motu case to Chennai and its consolidation with the NECF application.
NECF’s Involvement
Following the NGT’s order, NECF urged the Deputy Commissioner to include their representatives during the inspection and report preparation. Federation Secretary H. Shashidhar Shetty emphasized the NECF’s legal interest in the matter and their commitment to ensuring comprehensive documentation of observations and findings during the inspection.
Commitment to Coastal Preservation
Shetty reiterated that NECF comprises individuals dedicated to the preservation and sustainable development of the coastal zone, highlighting their active involvement in the inspection process.
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