Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding violation of environmental norms during the execution of the Netravathi Waterfront Promenade Project, Mangaluru, Karnataka, 05/03/2024
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of News item titled "Netravati Waterfront Promenade Project is Hurting Lives of Common people Stakeholders" appearing in Manglorean dated 26.01.2024.
The original application is registered suo motu on the basis of the news item titled "Netravati Waterfront Promenade Project is hurting lives of common people-Stakeholders” published in ‘Manglorean’ dated 26.01.2024 and letter sent by the National Environment Care Federation (NECF) dated 13.12.2023 to the concerned Government department highlighting the issues relating to the violation of the environmental norms in execution of the project. The news item as well as the letter said environmental violations have been allegedly done for the execution of the Netravathi Waterfront Promenade Project. Use of a bulldozer "within the ecologically sensitive riverbanks of Netravathi, specifically coordinates (12.842127, 74.851319), an area known for the presence of mangroves and trees". The alleged planning of removal of trees and dumping of soil in the intertidal zone by Mangalore Smart City Ltd (MSCL), to create a 9 meter wide space for cycle track and walk path. These were some of the allegations levelled against Netravati Waterfront Promenade Project.
The NGT, taking into considerations the allegations levelled against the project directed for the constitution of a joint committee comprising of the representative of Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mangalore, District Magistrate, Dakshina Kannada Mangalore and representative of the Director, National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR). The Committee will visit the site, ascertain the true factual position and the extent of violation of environmental norms in execution of the project and submit the report before the southern zonal bench, Chennai.