Lavasa: MoEF panel listens to supporters, opponents

A 11-member team of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) witnessed heated arguments from supporters and opponents of Lavasa hill city project.

A group of 400-plus villagers made a strong pitch for immediate removal of stay on the development of the project, on the ground that it had led to the development of roads, schools and other basic amenities. The project had, in fact, improved the environment.

On the other hand, a group of 15 people led by activist Medha Patkar reiterated its opposition to the project and argued the MoEF should not lift the stay. Patkar claimed there has been violation of law and Constitution.

A team led by former IAS officer Naresh Dayal, who led a similar team before the ministry gave environment clearance to the Navi Mumbai international airport, is currently in Lavasa according to a Bombay High Court order.

The committee would inspect whether the project developers had complied with environment laws. The committee would complete its visit on January 7 and is expected to give its report to the ministry.

The High Court has asked MoEF to take a decision on or before January 10 on the show-cause notice issued to the developers.

MoEF had served a notice to Lavasa on November 25 asking why it did not obtain environmental clearances according to notifications issued under the Environment Protection Act before the hill city project started in 2004.

Bhau Mongale, Deputy Sarpanch of Dasve told Business Standard, “We want development. Before the project was set up, there was no means of livelihood and future. Now there are schools, hospitals, jobs, water, electricity and many more facilities. Villagers have strongly objected to Medha Patkar’s presence, as we don’t want to make a Singur of Lavasa.”

He informed that villagers, including women, demanded that the project should stay, as it offered them and their future generations an opportunity to get into the mainstream.

Meanwhile, the committee members also held discussions with the representatives of Lavasa project.