Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding EC for a logistics hub on forest land, Dasamania Mouza, Jajpur, Odisha, 06/01/2020
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Kalinga Nagar Paribesh Surakhya Samiti Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 06/01/2020 regarding construction of a logistics hub on forest land by SAIZER Ltd. in Dasamania Mouza in Manitira RI Circle, Jajpur, Odisha without approval under Forest Conservation Act 1980.
The NGT has been informed that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had given approval for diversion of 1419.95 ha of forest land for the purpose of iron ore based industry at Jakhapura to IDCO under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Out of this area, 11.990 acres have been leased out for utilization of land for construction of factory and also Consent to Establish.
As far as Environmental Clearance (EC) has been concerned, MoEF&CC stated that the unit does not require EC under the amended EIA Notification 2006 as the project covers less than 20,000 SQM.
The NGT directed the Regional Office of the MoEF&CC, Bhubaneswar to clarify on whether the project requires EC by inspecting the project area and ascertain the actual area covered and verify on the compliance of the Forest Clearance conditions by the project.