PANAJI: The state government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the authorities will obtain the requisite forest clearance for two survey numbers through which the approach road on Tiracol side connects the Keri-Tiracol bridge.
During the last hearing on the application filed before NGT by Goa foundation, the tribunal had ordered the forest department to inspect the site. The NGO alleged that two survey numbers of
the site were to be classified as
private forests.
The advocate general, who appeared before NGT on December 10, conceded that the two survey numbers, through which the approach road on Tiracol side passes, were proposed to be classified as private forests.
As permission was needed, he informed NGT that before the work on the Tiracol side is taken up the requisite approval under Forect Conservation Act will be obtained.
The NGO had alleged that no prescribed study of environmental impact had been carried out for the project, which is also in the no development zone (NDZ) of Keri.
NGT recorded the undertaking given by the AG and
adjourned the matter till December 22 for consideration of an application seeking a stay on the entire bridge project.
The counsel for Goa foundation, Norma Alvares, pressed for a stay. The tribunal said it needed clarification on some aspects of the CRZ notification, but was not satisfied with the affidavit filed by the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) in the matter and sought more clarifications.
The captain of ports (CoP) had issued a conditional order approving the bridge, directing the GSIDC to have an environmental impact assessment (EIA) carried out of the impact of bridge construction either from the National Institute of Oceanography or any other competent agency. But, apparently under pressure from the state government, the CoP summarily withdrew its approval.
Goa Foundation informed the tribunal that it was not opposed to the project but wanted the procedures laid down for environment and CRZ clearance to be properly implemented, if the Tiracol estuary was to be protected from permanent damage.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Forest-dept-nod-must-for-Tiracol-bridge-road-NGT/articleshow/45461724.cms
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