The Centre has informed the Rajya Sabha that prior consent from the Tamil Nadu government is “not required” for the collection of baseline data for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Kerala government’s proposal to build a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
In response to a query from DMK MP Kanimozhi in the Upper House, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mahesh Sharma stated that the Ministry had granted the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the construction of a new Mullaperiyar dam on November 14, 2018.
The grant of ToR was as per the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and a subsequent amendment in 2009, along with the conditions for preparation of the EIA/EMP report, he stated.
Mutual consent
A condition had been stipulated in the ToR letter, he said. It states: “As per the ruling of the Supreme Court, in its judgment dated May 7, 2014, liberty has been granted to the parties to apply to the court if they are unable to arrive at some amicable solution regarding the new dam. Therefore, mutual consent/amicable solution passed in this regard should be submitted while applying for environmental clearance.”
