Court orders MSEZL to restore river to original condition

Court orders MSEZL to restore river to original condition

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore April 21, 2012 : The High Court has issued an emergent notice to the Government of Karnataka regarding the alleged encroachment of Gurupura River on the part of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL) while constructing a road and pipeline.

The Citizens Forum of Forum, along with the people of Panambur, Kuloor, and Baikampady, moved the High Court to issue a directive to stop MSEZL from dumping soil in River Phalguni. They also stated that the company must restore the river to its original condition.

The High Court accepted the petition and on Monday issued a directive to MSEZ and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to submit their statements within the next fortnight. According to the court, the petitioners can move the vacation court for an interim order if the MSEZ continues filling the river with soil.

On April 18, the office of the regional director of environment served a notice on MSEZ, directing the company to restore the river to its original condition. Mahesh Kumar, the environment department assistant director, said that MSEZ was instructed to restore the river to its original condition as their activities would lead to artificial flooding.

Although MSEZ has obtained the approval from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on April 3, 2008, there was a huge difference in the work site mentioned in he proposal submitted by the company to MoEF and its work site at presen.

On April 5, the environment department directed MSEZ to restore the river to its original condition within the next 15 days.

Vidya Dinaker, the coordinator of the Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development, said that action must be taken against the company, which has not yet cleared the river although the deadline was Friday.

MSEZ officials and legal representatives, however, have assured the High Court that the company will follow the orders of the court.