Nirma plant must be relocated: MoEF

A three-judge bench,led by Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia,adjourned the matter till Friday,giving Nirma the option of challenging the MoEF order either before it or the Green Tribunal.

The bench had earlier ordered a fresh environmental study by the Expert Appraisal Committee of the MoEF to ascertain whether the plant was in any wetland area or near water bodies. The panel was asked to seek reports from a body of experts with five scientists. Field visits were also ordered. The court had asked the experts panel to hear all the parties concerned,including Nirma and the residents near the site,and ascertain the project’s environmental impact.

The report has now contradicted the Gujarat government’s stand that the area is a wasteland. On Tuesday,the report was placed before the court by the MoEF,which,in an affidavit,supported the findings of the expert committee.

“The location of the industrial complex would adversely impact the ecosystem services. The limestone mining in 3,460 hectares,the bulk of which is a crop area,will lead to creation of dumps,which may result in reduction in the catchment area and possible salinity ingression,” the report said.

Six per cent of India’s onions is produced in the area. The committee said that the nearby Mahuva Taluka harbours the Asiatic lions,which have been spotted in and around the wetlands. “There is a reserve forest within 10 km radius of the site. Two critically endangered vulture species and several other globally threatened bird species are seen around Bandhara,” said the report. “The committee unanimously recommends that the site of the cement plant industrial complex of Nirma be relocated elsewhere outside Samadhiala Bandhara,” the committee recommended.

The government had earlier given environmental clearance to Nirma,which was allotted 268 hectares to set up the plant and over 3,000 hectares for mining in the surrounding areas near the coastline in Bhavnagar.

The Nirma’s appeal before the Gujarat High Court for relief had failed too.

Senior advocate Dushyant Dave,appearing for Nirma,had contended that the company was working for the past three years on the project based on previous clearances.

Jairam,Rahul helped,says BJP MLA

BJP MLA Kanu Kalsaria and other leaders protesting against the setting up of Nirma’s cement plant in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar district,on Tuesday acknowledged the help of Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in their fight.

Addressing reporters after Ministry of Environment and Forest told the Supreme Court that it was going to revoke the clearance granted to Nirma’s plant,Kalsaria said,“Jairam Ramesh and Rahul Gandhi have provided help in fighting against the project. However,that help should not be considered as political help.”