The proposal was rejected on the basic ground that the proposed project site is within parts of the Gulf of Kuchch Marine National Park which is very rich in marine biodiversity and is in a highly ecological fragile area. In making the decision, it was noted that a report of the MS Swaminathan Committee recommended that no port be developed in or around Protected Areas/Ecological Fragile Zones. Earlier a committee consisting of Dr. M.K.Ranjitsinh and Dr. Asad Rehmani, members of the Standing Committee, had carried out a site inspection and recommended against the proposal of Poshitra Port.
The committee also rejected a proposal for withdrawal of water from the Majthal Wildlife Sanctuary and laying of pipeline for carrying this water for the expansion of a cement plant by M/s Ambuja Cement Pvt. Ltd., The proposal was rejected as the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 clearly states that no wildlife produce, including water, can be used for commercial purpose. While appreciating the need of water for local people, the committee observed that State Government of Himachal Pradesh should submit a proposal separately to meet the demand of water for local people. However, withdrawal of water for commercial purpose could not be permitted as it was against the provisions of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Another important proposal discussed was on reducing area of Kolleru Lake Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly had forwarded a proposal to MoEF recommending the reduction in the area of Kolleru Lake Sanctaury. Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State (I/C), Environment & Forests, had also personally visited Kolleru on 28.02.2010 and interacted with relevant stakeholders. After detailed discussion it was decided to constitute an expertcommittee to study the issue in greater depth both from the perspective of protection of livelihood of local communities and the conservation and protection of the wetland of Kolleru. A scientific survey of the entire area would also be done through satellite mapping to get an actual picture of the status and alignment of contour lines.
A seven member committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Aziz, Director, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore has been constituted for this purpose and this committee will submit its report in three months time.
The committee has also unanimously rejected a proposal for 2-D seismic survey in an area of 150 sq. km. in Narayan Sagar Sanctuary in Gujarat, considering the importance of biodiversity of Narayan Sagar Sanctuary, and considering the fact that in past large area of this sanctuary has been carved out for various development activities.
The committee also rejected a proposal for manufacturing of ductile iron spun pipes, neutralizing iron ore fines in Goa, as the plan is within a distance of 3.25 km from the boundary of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. Similarly, another proposal for mining of Manganese ore in Goa was rejected as it fell within 5.3 km from the boundary of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. It is to be noted that the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has desired that no polluting activity should be carried out within 10 km from boundary of Protected Areas.
The Committee also considered a proposal of diversion of 0.3 ha of forest land from National Chambal River Sanctuary in Dholpur, Rajasthan for lift irrigation project and the construction of four hydro power projects on Chambal river in Rajasthan. The Committee felt that there was a need to carry out detailed studies on availability of water in Chambal during lean period as also a River Basin Management Study of Chambal to study the impact of various proposed projects on the Chambal river. It was decided that Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History Society and World Wide Fund for Nature-India would be engaged to the comprehensive study over at least a nine-month period. Only after a receipt of this report, would the committee consider the project proposals. The Committee reiterated that the Chambal river today is the best habitat for the critically endangered Gangetic River Dolphin which has been recently declared as the national aquatic animal, as also for the ghariyal.
