Proposes to revoke EC of North Port for violation of environment laws Billionaire Gautam Adani promoted Adani Port and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Ltd has been directed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to restore all the creeks, water bodies and reclaimed land in their North Port area of Mundra block in Kutch district, back to pre-2005 status within six months time. In a show cause notice issued for alleged violation of environment laws, the ministry has proposed to revoke the environmental clearance to APSEZ's North Port if the company does not reply to the notice within 15 days. The notice was issued on September 30. The company has further been asked to consider returning of gauchar or village common land to villages and also invest in improving productivity of this land. When contacted APSEZ declined to comment whether it has replied to the notice. The notice was issued after the MoEF accepted recommendations of the five member committee headed by Sunita Narain. The report was submitted to ministry in April this year where it was held that Adani Port and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Ltd had violated environmental clearance conditions. The committee had also recommended imposition of penalty on the company, which is part of the Rs 40,000 crore Adani Group. "In view of the violations noted and recommendations made by the committee, you are requested to explain within 15 days of receipt of this notice as to why the clearance granted to the North port shall not be cancelled. Pending decision on the show cause notice, the clearance granted to North Port is kept in abeyance. Therefore, the status quo ante for any constructions/development in the North Port site as on date should be maintained," the ministry stated in its notice. The MoEF also issued number of directions to APSEZ based on the recommendations of the committee. This include restoration of creek and reclaimed land in North Port. "North Port area and Bochha Island should be declared as conservation zone and the area should be protected. All the creeks, water bodies and reclaimed land in these areas should be restored and brought back to pre-2005 status within six months." The company has also been directed to prepare a specific action plan to protect the livelihood of fishermen "whose marine ecology, and catch and access to the sea have been seriously affected by the violations committed by the project proponent (APSEZ) within six months with a specific plan for fishermen, their access and protection of their livelihood." APSEZ has been further asked to provide necessary support for the development of exclusive fishing harbour at Badreshwar. As per the recommendation of the Sunita Narain committee, APSEZ has been asked to set up an Environment Restoration fund. "As a deterrent for non-compliance and violations, APSEZ Ltd shall set up an Environment Restoration fund, distinct and separate from CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities under Company Law, amounting to Rs 200 crore or 1% of project cost, whichever is higher, to be used for remediation of environmental damage in Mundra." The Fund will be operated under the chairmanship of secretary environment and forests. The ministry has adviced APSEZ to ensure that all the projects constructed within the SEZ should possess environment clearance under EIA Notification, 2006 as applicable.