Mysuru: Even as movement against development atop of Chamundi Hill is gathering momentum, National Green Tribunal Judicial Member and former Judge of Karnataka High Court Jawad Rahim said that if the government is seen violating forest act or environmental norms, then the National Green Tribunal Act has provisions to impose penalty on government upto Rs 10 cr.
The State government has started developmental works atop of Chamundi hills at a cost of Rs 40 cr. But the environmentalist and various organizations including Mysore Grahakara Parishat and ‘Let Do It’ staged protest against the ongoing developmental works stating that there will be imbalance in the ecology if the proposed developmental works were undertaken. The organizations alleged that the government failed to get permissions, including clearance from forest and environment.
After pressure from various organizations, Deputy Commissioner C Shikha convened meet at Deputy Commissioner’s office on June 22 and after having interaction with officials and organizations and after coming to know that they have not taken environmental clearance, she immediately called upon the authorities concerned to stop the ongoing work till they get environmental clearance.
Justice Jawad Rahim speaking on the sidelines of an event said “violation of rules governing protection of environment attracts Rs 10 crore as fine. The issue of Chamundi Hills Development project and controversy surrounding it hasn’t reached the tribunal. If government has violated norms to make way for developmental projects, there is provision to levy a fine of Rs 10 crore”. He also mentioned that any citizen can apply application or file complaints and all the complaints will be taken seriously. “After receiving complaints we inspect spot and try to stop work till the inspections are completed. There are instances where the tribunal fined government” added Justice Jawad.
When this was brought to the notice of Bhamy V Shenoy of Mysore Grahakara Parishat he said “In May 25 itself we had given complaint to NGT in Chennai but they returned our file back. The whole process at the Chennai tribunal is so complicated. But we will try to talk to Justice Jawad Rahim and tell our problems which we faced to file a complaint. After having all sorts of problem at Chennai NGT, now we have decided to file PIL at High Court”.
