National Green Tribunal
Vasant Krishnaji Vatkar vs Union Of India Through Secretary on 18 July, 2019
Author: K. Ramakrishnan
Bench: K. Ramakrishnan
Item No. 04
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
(Through Video Conferencing)
Original Application No. 20/2015 (WZ)
Vasant Vatkar Applicant
Versus
Union of India & Ors. Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 18.07.2019
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S. P. WANGDI, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAMAKRISHNAN, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. NAGIN NANDA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s) : None
For Respondent (s) : Mr. Rahul Garg, Advocate for Respondent
No. 1.
ORDER
1. This application has been filed primarily against the rejection of the application for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) for a Laterite Iron Ore Mine at village Manoli, Taluka Shahuwadi, District Maharashtra on the ground that the mining block falls in the Tiger Corridor linking Shayadri Tiger Reserve (Chandoli National Park).
2. By order dated 17.11.2017, direction was issued upon the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to place on record its contention including the explanation as regards the records placed before us and the impact on Tiger Corridor in the context of sustainable development. Further, a final map of the Tiger Corridor of the sanctuary, particularly, the portion passing through village Manoli depicting clearly the forest land, protected forest, un-class forest, areas under Maharashtra Private Forest Act, 1975 (Decided 1 and undecided), private land and revenue land along with the location of the mine therein to be placed before us.
3. In terms of the aforesaid direction, MoEF&CC has filed an affidavit which is taken on record. The affidavit reveals that the Applicant in the Original Application had been heard and by a detailed order had rejected his application. The relevant portion of the affidavit reads as follows:
"Keeping in view the landscape approach to conservation India, the NTCA has delineated such tiger meta-populations across the country which inter-alia includes the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and its connectivity to the Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. Any disturbance in this connectivity shall isolate wildlife and tiger populations thereby resulting in inbreeding which shall manifest in unfavourable survival characters in these populations."
4. The requisite map depicting the facts and circumstance set out in the order has been prepared and filed with the affidavit.
5. Upon consideration of the facts and circumstance stated above, we find no merit in the application and is accordingly dismissed.
6. No order as to cost.
S. P. Wangdi, JM K. Ramakrishnan, JM Dr. Nagin Nanda, EM 18th July, 2019 O.A. 20/2015 (WZ) avt 2