Srinagar Aug 8 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has grilled the J&K Pollution Control Committee for not conducting an independent exercise to ascertain the facts vis-à-vis the alleged violation of environmental norms on Handwara–Bangus road project.
The petitioner Advocate Rasikh Rasool Bhat, argued and maintained that authorities have violated various laws including Grant of forest clearance, Illegal extraction of gravel, Illegal felling of trees and cutting of hills in the process of construction of the project even amidst the availability of the passage through Handwara – Zachaldara – Wadder Bala of Rajwar area. The petitioner took a stark objection to the compliance reports submitted by JKPCC and Forest Department.
The Tribunal in its order, as per GNS, maintained that in response to the direction of the Tribunal, a report dated 12.06.2024 has been filed by the J&K PCC. “On perusal of the report, we find that the J&K PCC has not carried out independent exercise to ascertain the extent of violation and the authority responsible for the same,” reads the order.
The report of the J&K PCC, as per the NGT order, reflects that it had obtained information from different Departments such as Executive Engineer, PWD, R&B Department, Handwara and the District Mineral Officer, Kupwara and on that basis, the report has been prepared “but the information so submitted by the authorities have not been cross-checked, verified and analyzed by the J&K PCC.”
The Tribunal has directed the J&K PCC to submit a fresh report within four weeks after collecting further information and analyzing it and recording its own conclusion in respect of the alleged violation.
“The J&K PCC in the report will suggest the mitigated measures also,” emphasized the Tribunal.
It is pertinent to mention here that Adv Rasikh Rasool Bhat has maintained in his petition that more than 25000 trees were cut in the execution of Handwara–Bangus road project even as various blatant violations of varying degrees.
