No progress in implementation of master plan for restoration of Bharathapuzha, says NGT

Kerala Environment department pulled up for failure to submit proper report on action taken

September 09, 2022 06:12 pm | Updated 06:12 pm IST - KOCHI

The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Kerala Environment department for its failure to submit a proper report on the action taken to protect the banks of the Bharathapuzha and rebuild its riparian habitat.

The Additional Chief Secretary had submitted a report dated September 1, 2022 as part of the suo motu case registered by the tribunal based on media reports that human interference, including burning of dry grassland, was taking a toll on the lifeline of the river.

“With regret, we have to record that this report does not mention about any of the decisions taken, though the order of this tribunal was to submit a half-yearly progress report. It is apparent that there is no progress for them to report,” said an order issued by the Bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati on September 5.

The tribunal said the report was bereft of any details, and that it only stated that the District Collector, Palakkad, had convened a meeting with other departments on July 8, 2022 and that certain decisions had been taken.

But the report is silent on the decisions taken, except that it has been decided to set up biodiversity committees in coordination with the Irrigation and Local Self-Government departments to stabilise the biodiversity of the river banks through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), it said.

The Bench reminded that no details had been furnished, though the report said a meeting had been convened by the Chief Secretary on August 5, 2022.

The tribunal has asked the Additional Chief Secretary, Environment department, to file a detailed report within four weeks on the implementation of the master plan to protect the river banks and ensure the rebuilding of the riparian habitat.

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.