Letter to MoEF (13/03/2005)

Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003

Sub: Requests for clarifications sought wrt EIA notification

Ref:

• (i) news reports of 12.03.2005: Environment education centre inaugurated (The Hindu); Asola sanctuary to give lessons in conservation (Express Newsline)
• (ii) GNCTD DPCC Public Notice of 13.03.2005 (Sunday Times of India, p.6)

Sir, The news reports under reference at (i) are about inauguration by Delhi Chief Minister of environment centre in Asola sanctuary, for which a report (‘Deal signed for conservation centre’, Hindu, 20.06.04) had said GNCTD provided land and Rs 38.42 lakhs to a Mumbai-based NGO to set up exhibition hall, auditorium and nature-huts. In continuation of prior letters I had a sought MoEF view on this in copy of my letter of 20.06.2004 to Secretary MoUD about this and other violations of Delhi Master Plan (DMP) in ridge and riverbed.

In several letters (last of 09.02.2005) I have also sought MoEF view / clarification of implications of amended EIA notification for projects in CGWA notified DMP ridge / green area in Mehrauli-Mahipalpur, continuing despite notice and without reply in PIL. One of these (GNCTD mandi in Mehrauli ridge) was also inaugurated by Chief Minister on 22.02.2005, besides which GNCTD proposals to allow commercial misuse of farmhouses and regularize unauthorized colonies has been reiterated and its scheme to privatise water supply in the zone (which will benefit all this illegal development) has been announced.

Simultaneously, GNCTD’s Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued the Public Notice under reference at (ii) directing proponents of projects requiring clearance under amended EIA notification to submit to it within 21 days twenty sets of executive summary in English and local language, Form XII under Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Rules 1975 and Form I under Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) (Union Territories) Rules 1983 – even as EIA notification requires application for environmental clearance to be made to Secretary MoEF in proforma specified in far more detailed Schedule-II.

In view of GNCTD’s Public Notice, I reiterate – with urgency and perhaps also as an Article 14 imperative – prior requests for:

(a) clarification of implications of / clearance under amended EIA notification for GNCTD projects in CGWA notified ridge and riverbed areas and for its proposals for allowing commercial misuse of farmhouses, regularizing unauthorized colonies and privatising water supply in south zone.

(b) clarification of MoEF view on GNCTD environmental centre in Asola-Bhatti sanctuary – in terms of comparative appraisal vis-à-vis alternative sites and partner agencies as well as vis-à-vis community-controlled eco-visitation options about which communications addressed to you await reply.

Thanking you and looking forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely

sd/-

Gita Dewan Verma, Planner

cc: as in letters of 20.06.2004 and 09.02.2005 referred above, enclosed for ready reference