National Green Tribunal takes action on Netravati waterfront promenade development project
The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has initiated action on the Netravati Waterfront Promenade Development Project in Mangaluru.
The local chapter of the National Environmental Conservation Foundation (NECF) had raised concerns voiced by stakeholders regarding the project’s impact on the lives of common people in the area.
Recognising the seriousness of the environmental and social issues associated with the project, NGT has taken suo motu cognisance and directed the formation of a joint committee to submit a detailed report on the project.
The Netravati Waterfront Promenade Project has been mired in controversy due to alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and environmental regulations.
Managed by Mangaluru Smart City Ltd (MSCL), the project has faced criticism for its potential adverse effects on the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.
In light of these concerns, the principal bench intervened to ensure the protection of the environment and the rights of the local community. The tribunal instructed the concerned authorities to provide a comprehensive report on the project, encompassing its environmental impact assessment, adherence to CRZ regulations and measures taken for the rehabilitation of affected stakeholders.
Speaking to Down To Earth, the convenor of NECF, Shashidhar Shetty said, “NGT’s action was expected as we found the promoters of the controversial project had violated all environmental norms and have not taken permissions and clearances for heavy earthwork at the estuarine edges of the river, destroying mangroves, fertile soil on the riverfront, and creating artificial embankments to build various features of the Promenade, including a cycle track, walk path, gardens, gym from the Netravati railway bridge (near Morgan’s Gate) to the Bolar Sea face at an exorbitant cost of Rs 70 crore for just 2.1 km. The execution of such a high-cost project in the final year of MSCL raises concerns on both the environmental and economic fronts”.
Source: Author provded
This action constitutes violations of CRZ norms, according to 2011 notifications by MSCL authorities and its contracting agencies during the execution of the Netravati Riverfront Promenade Development Project. These actions amount to violations of the conditional CRZ clearance granted to MSCL by the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Authority (KSCZMA) (reference no FEE 17 CRZ 2022 dated 07.10.2022). The NECF has written to the state minister for Forest and Environment, Eshwar Khandre.
The primary objective of MSCL and its contracting agencies in filling soil in the intertidal zone is to acquire extra land for the project, as there is a lack of government or port land, and subsequently create sketches and plans for the project based on the available land.
Furthermore, there is no environmental impact assessment (EIA) report prepared for this project, which is crucial in evaluating its potential environmental effects, especially considering that the estuary is just a km away from the project site. The site is home to old trees and mangroves, serving as a natural feeding and breeding ground for various animals, birds, fish, crabs, molluscs and other marine life.
The MSCL has a track record of violating CRZ according to 2011 notification in this project, which has been reported through numerous letters to the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, MSCL authorities, CRZ authorities, forest department authorities and pollution control board by environmental activists. However, they pointed out that there has been no feedback or action by the district administration, CRZ and pollution control boards.
NECF and various other environmental organisations have demanded an immediate halt to the project in this area due to CRZ-2011 norms and violations in conditional CRZ clearance granted by KSCZMA. “There is clear evidence that the work is being carried out by the contractors and the principals without several clearances from the agencies, which is a glaring incidence of violation of the rules, which is why we want a joint inquiry to be conducted between MSCL, CRZ officers, Forest departments, pollution control board officers, and NECF members.”
“Protection of the Netaravati River, which serves as a lifeline for the coastal district, is more important to citizens than fancy cycle tracks and walking paths, wasting Rs 70 crore of taxpayers’ money for just a 2.1 km stretch that has no plans, no sketches, no public hearing and no EIA done for this project by MSCL,” according to the appeal made to Khandre.
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