Central organisations flouting green tribunal orders: ESG

Bengaluru-based NGO Environment Support Group (ESG) has observed that despite the National Green Tribunal's order delivered two months ago staying the excavation, construction and operation of projects with regard to the kaval lands (commons) in Challakere taluk in Chitradurga till they appropriate environmental and other clearances were secured according to the law, the "project proponents have continued with construction activities, without securing necessary approvals."

The tribunal's order included a wide-range of specific directions to regulatory authorities and project proponents to conform with environmental regulations and human rights standards.

Over two months ago, justice M Chockalingam (judicial member) and R Nagendran (expert member) constituting the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone, Chennai), delivered their final order/judgement in response to public interest petitions filed by environmentalist Leo F Saldanha and ESG challenging the diversion of about 10,000 acres of ecologically-sensitive Amrit Mahal Kavals (grassland ecosystems) in Challakere to a variety of defence, nuclear, technology, solar, housing, industrial and infrastructure projects.

The projects proposed at Challakere include Defence Research Development Organisation/Aeronautical Development Establishment (promoting a weaponised drone testing and manufacturing facility in over 4,290 acres), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (promoting a special materials and nuclear enrichment facility, for both civilian and defence purposes, in over 1,810 acres), Indian Institute of Science (promoting a Synchrotron and Advanced Aerospace Research Centre, on over 1,500 acres), Indian Space Research Organisation (setting up a centre for spacecraft technologies, on over 573 acres), Karnataka Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (promoting various ancillary industrial units in over 300 acres), Sagitaur Ventures Pvt Ltd (promoting a solar park in over 1,250 acres) and possibly the Indian Army (promoting a Station Brigade on over 10,000 acres).