The Hindu : New Delhi News : Court asks Central panel to respond to State’s plea

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Court asks Central panel to respond to State’s plea

J. Venkatesan

“The construction of the bridge will not have any adverse effect in the sanctuary
eco-system”

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Central Empowered Committee to respond to an application filed by the Tamil Nadu Government seeking permission to construct a high level bridge across the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary in Tiruvallur district.

The ‘Forest Bench’ comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice S.H. Kapadia issued notice seeking expeditious reply from the CEC since the proposed construction would be very close to the notified sanctuary. For carrying out any activity inside any forest area, apex court’s permission is necessary and the court will give its nod after CEC’s approval.

The State said the National Board of Wild Life had recommended the construction of the bridge subject to certain conditions, viz “work will be carried out during day time only; construction material will be brought from outside the park area; disposal sites will be located outside the park area and machineries will be removed from work site immediately after the work is over.”

No felling of trees

It said no felling of trees was involved in the 1.455 hectare of forest land which was required for diversion to the Highways department for the construction of the proposed bridge “which will connect seven villages with 50,000 fishermen community who have become homeless during the tsunami in 2004.”

The application made it clear that the construction of the bridge would not have any adverse effect in the sanctuary eco-system.

“The State is primarily concerned with environment and forest and endows itself for conservation and improvement of forest and thereby maintains the stability of the environment of the area.

“Only in the case of unavoidable, public utility with ultimate necessity the State recommends the project which involves diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose,” it said and prayed for grant of approval for the project.

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