The rejection came following a report submitted by a team of the expert appraisal committee (EAC) members which during an inspection found that project proponent Ind-Bharath Ltd had obtained environment nod by "concealing" factual information in respect of various issues including the sanctuary location, ministry officials said.
The proposed project in Hankon in Karwar taluk had received environmental clearance subject to certain conditions in June last year.
However, locals, including members of the Hankon fishing community, had raised fears of loss of livelihood due to environmental problems likely to be caused by its operation. They claimed the plant was barely 3.5 km from Goa's southernmost wildlife sanctuary.
In fact, the residents there too filed two separate appeals before National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) against the project forcing the Environment Ministry to send a team to verify the allegations. Read the full report here.
Source: Deccan Herald, New Delhi
