In a major setback to Posco's steel plant project in Orissa, the environment ministry has asked the state government to stop all work related to it, including land acquisition, as it violated forest rights law.
In a major setback to Posco's steel plant project in Orissa, the environment ministry has asked the state government to stop all work related to it, including land acquisition, as it violated forest rights law.
"We have asked the state government to stop all works related to the project," environment minister Jairam Ramesh said today on the sidelines of a function here.
The move is in line with the recommendations of a joint panel of the Tribal Affairs and Environment Ministries set up to study and assess the impact of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) at the site with regards to the sustainable management of forest resources across the country.
"The team's conclusion is that any work related to the project in the area is a violation of the FRA and of the conditions laid down by the ministry in its forest clearance issued last year," the Ministry's order which was issued today said.
The ministry had given clearance to the Rs 54,000-crore integrated steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district on the condition that it would first ensure proper implementation of the FRA — that would settle the land rights of the people living there before forest land is acquired for the project.
The ministry also took note "that there were other traditional forest dwellers (OTFD) in the area, contrary to what the district administration was saying. Both documentary and oral evidence exists to this effect."
Besides, the FRA process has not been completed, in fact it has not proceeded beyond the initial stages, for various reasons as observed by the panel members Ashish Kothari, Arupjyoti Saikia and Ravi Rebbapragada, it further noted.
"It is, therefore, incorrect and misleading for the district administration to conclude that there were no "OTFDs in possession of forest land since three generation in the area," the order said.
The state government shall take all necessary measure and ensure that work, if any, being undertaken on the said land for the said project including handing over of the forest and non-forest land to the said project shall be stopped forthwith.
The Committee headed by National Advisory Council NC Saxena said, "We have been informed that the district administration is proceeding with land acquisition and demolition of the paan (betel) cultivation of people on forest land.
"Our clear view is that such work is in violation of the Forest Rights Act."
Seeking ban on all activities including handing over forest land, the environment ministry has also asked the state government to report it at the earliest about the action taken in this regard.
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