Construction of Handwara-Bangus Road: National Green Tribunal Issues Notice UT-Government for ‘Violating Environmental Norms’
Srinagar: The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench New Delhi, has issued a notice to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, wherein the Tribunal has observed ‘violation of norms’ vis-a-vis the construction of Handwara-Bangus road.
Talking to GNS, the Original Applicant Rasikh Rasool Bhat, a Rights’ Activist cum lawyer, said that the Tribunal has considered his plea wherein he has maintained that there is no ‘Environmental Clearance’ (EC) on record on the dedicated portal PARIVESH (Pro-active Responsive Facilitation By Interactive & Virtuous Environmental Hub) and that there is large-scale mineral (gravel) extraction going on in Bakiaker-Zachaldara stream in violation of environmental norms.
“The NGT corum headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava assisted by his expert members D.A Senthil Cel & Dr. Afroz Ahmad, observed that there are substantial issues related to the (non) compliance of the environmental norms and that the ongoing activity has caused damage or is likely to damage to various water bodies besides to public and private properties in the area,” Bhat said.
“In this original application, the applicant has raised the grievance that in the execution of the work on Handwara – Bangus road project (state highway) at Rajwar Forest Area of Kupwara District of J&K the environmental norms are being violated and extraction of gravel in the stream local Talri Nallah of Rajwar area is being done. It is alleged that the authorities have allowed extraction of gravel from a local stream (Bakiaker – Zachaldara) of Rajwar area of Kupwara district for utilization in construction of the road”, reads the order, a copy of which lies with GNS.
“It is further alleged that more than 25000 lush green forest trees were cut/uprooted and big mountains have been blasted and more than 14 hectares of forest land is being used to construct the road.”
“Further allegation is that none of the respondents have applied for the mandatory Environmental Clearance and no information in this regard is available in Parivesh Portal”, reads the order.
“Applicant, Rasikh Rasool Bhat in his, Original Application (OA), submitted in the NGT has raised the issue that , if the road for Bangus valley was already available via Rajwar Locality why the Government has proposed and constructing a new road via Forest of Rajwar that has impacted overall environmental in the Rajwar Aaea and huge wastage of Indian tax payers money under Central Road Fund (CRF)”, reads the order.
“Applicant has also questioned the government that by which norm Authorities allowed and extracted minerals at Dhobi Ghat Zachaldara between the radius and distance of 400 meters of two vital bridges, while pressing heavy excavators deep more than 3 meters.”
“The NGT has ordered issuance of notice to respondents and directed the applicant to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next date of hearing”, reads the order while listing the case on April 25, 2024.