Panaji
The NGT has issued notice on an appeal filed by Agnelo Godinho, Anthony Mendees, Juze Godinho -- all villagers and tenants of Tiracol -- against the environment clearance dated October 11, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment to Leading Hotels for their golf course resort project at Tiracol. The Goa Foundation is also an Appellant in the same matter (Appeal No. 112/2017).
The appeal is posted next on January 12, 2018, says a press note.
The appeal challenges the environment clearance on
The NGT has issued notice on an appeal filed by Agnelo Godinho, Anthony Mendees, Juze Godinho -- all villagers and tenants of Tiracol -- against the environment clearance dated October 11, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment to Leading Hotels for their golf course resort project at Tiracol. The Goa Foundation is also an Appellant in the same matter (Appeal No. 112/2017).
The appeal is posted next on January 12, 2018, says a press note.
The appeal challenges the environment clearance on
the grounds that the Leading Hotels have totally misled the Ministry of Environment on the nature of the land. The Appellants have argued that the present land use is agricultural tenanted land which does not permit a golf course or a resort. They have also claimed that bulk of the land is still cultivated by them and the environment clearance for the golf course includes their lands and therefore it has been granted without proper application of mind. The lands have been included for environment clearance without the appellants' knowledge and consent. The MOEF has no authority to grant an environment clearance for a project on lands that do not belong to the project proponent.
The appeal also states that incorrect information was supplied to the Environment Ministry in the Forms filled up providing data on the project. The company has falsely stated that there was no litigation pending involving the said lands. The appellants have shown that almost every plot has a litigation pending either at the lower court or the Mamlatdar's Court.
Finally, the appeal has argued that the Expert Appraisal Committee did not deal with the environmental impact of a golf course at the site. The appellants have argued that the operation of the golf course is bound to adversely affect the agricultural lands, their water resources and fishing grounds and that these aspects have not been considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee while recommending the environment clearance.
It may be recalled that an earlier environment clearance granted by the Goa SEAC/SEIAA on 14.3.2013 to Leading Hotels was suspended because the NGT found serious irregularities in the grant of the clearance and directed for fresh consideration of the project by the SEAC.
The appeal also states that incorrect information was supplied to the Environment Ministry in the Forms filled up providing data on the project. The company has falsely stated that there was no litigation pending involving the said lands. The appellants have shown that almost every plot has a litigation pending either at the lower court or the Mamlatdar's Court.
Finally, the appeal has argued that the Expert Appraisal Committee did not deal with the environmental impact of a golf course at the site. The appellants have argued that the operation of the golf course is bound to adversely affect the agricultural lands, their water resources and fishing grounds and that these aspects have not been considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee while recommending the environment clearance.
It may be recalled that an earlier environment clearance granted by the Goa SEAC/SEIAA on 14.3.2013 to Leading Hotels was suspended because the NGT found serious irregularities in the grant of the clearance and directed for fresh consideration of the project by the SEAC.
