Orders stoppage of tree-felling until MoEF approval
Protestors against the illegal felling of more than 50,000 trees in Kodagu for the sake of a power transmission line have a reason to smile. Ahead of their hearing by the Karnataka High Court, the National Green Tribunal’s order on Friday in a separate case seems to have revived their hopes of protecting the trees.
Order on activist’s PIL
The National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Friday, ordered all agencies to refrain from felling trees while executing linear projects in forest areas, unless an approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 was obtained. The NGT ruling was a response to a petition filed by Maharashtra-based activist Milind Pariwakam who objected to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)’s project of widening of NH-6 and NH-7 in the Vidarbha region. This would involve felling trees and diverting forest land through the fragile Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. The NGT ruling is likely to have a nationwide impact in preventing diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
The NGT clearly stated that all linear projects like railway lines, development of roads, canals and laying of transmission lines through forests must obtain permission from the MoEF under FCA -1980. Although the Chennai Bench of NGT had refused to stall the project last year, activists hope that the latest order will have an impact.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Sajan Aiyappa, coordinator of the Save Cauvery Campaign, said, “Previously, when we approached the NGT’s Southern Bench, it had dismissed the petition on technical grounds and so we approached the High Court. The case has been posted for hearing on Monday. However, we welcome the order by the NGT in Maharashtra. We hope that the order will force authorities to take note of the seriousness of the issue and safeguard the fragile eco-system of Kodagu.”
The activists clarified that they were not against the project, but only concerned about the felling of 50,000 trees which would have a catastrophic impact on the rainfall of Kodagu. This, they say, would adversely affect the flow of water to the Cauvery and in turn affect the availability of potable water in Mysuru and Bengaluru.
Felling continues
“Despite the case being posted for hearing before the High Court, the authorities, a few days ago, cleared many trees within the limits of coffee estates. We have submitted scientific reports on the variety of species of trees in plantation areas. The court must take note of this and help us in safeguarding the eco-system,” yet another activist said.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Niranjan Kaggere, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / February 23rd, 2015
