Judgement of the National Green Tribunal regarding Garudeshwar Weir project, Gujarat, 01/09/2015
Judgement of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Lakhan Musafir & Others Vs Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited dated 01/09/2015 regarding Garudeshwar Weir project.
The Applicants submit that Garudeshwar Weir project is a project spread out over vast land tracts, which is irreversible in nature and is bound to lead to the submergence, fully or partially, of 11 villages and affect directly or indirectly, about 11,000 villagers in Gujarat. The Garudeshwar Weir project is admittedly a Category ‘A’ Project under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006. The Garudeshwar Weir project will have significant social and environmental impacts, and would have the potential of affecting the fisheries in the upstream and downstream areas; and also, affect the river downstream and its biodiversity and other related aspects right up to sea. It is the case of the Applicants that no concrete plan or social impact assessment for the Garudeshwar Weir has been submitted by the Respondents prior to commencement of construction of Garudeshwar Weir.