PIL challenges setting up of varsity near Girnar Sanctuary

The Gujarat High Court today sought the state government's response on a PIL challenging its move to build a university in an eco-sensitive zone near Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Junagadh.
The division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi asked the assistant government pleader to seek instruction from the government and get back on Friday.
The PIL, filed by one Ankit Shukla, challenges the government's decision to set up Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta University in the vicinity of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary which was declared an eco-sensitive zone through a government notification on May 31, 2012.

It said the university had issued a tender in November this year to deforest the 44 hectare land where the university would be set up and that deforestation might commence any time.
The PIL stated that no requisite clearance was taken from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for setting up of the university.
"Commencing the activity of deforestation and establishing construction is contrary to the provisions of Environment Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and state government's notification dated May 31, 2012 declaring it an eco-sensitive zone," it said.
"The sanctuary is an abode to Asiatic lions, leopards and Rusty spotted cats which are endangered Schedule-1 animals. The activity attacks their natural habitat and affects ecological balance," the PIL said.