Villagers in Kutch file PILs against towers, SEZs

The Gujarat high court has issued notices to the state and department of environment and forest in response to two separate PILs filed on environment issues and SEZ, respectively, by Kutchi villagers.

In the first PIL filed by the residents of Cheravadi village in Kutch, the petitioners have challenged the construction of platforms to set up transmission towers in the creek on Surajbari, which has resulted in complete blockage of Surajbari creek, more particularly the Cheravadi sub-creek.

It is alleged that this activity has not only disturbed the natural course of Surajbari creek, but has also disturbed the sea water which is an integral part of the Wild Ass Sanctuary, declared as the 15th biosphere region of India.

The petition has further alleged that the creek connects the little Rann of Kutch and with the Bay of Kutch that provides necessary brackish water to the lakhs of migratory birds including flamingoes that come to the sanctuary for breeding.

In another petition Navinal villagers have filed petition alleging that they are being collectively deprived of grazing land of the village for SEZ. The petitioners have alleged that out of 276 acres of Gauchar land, they has sold 231 acres of land to Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd, owned by Adani Group, leaving only 45 acres of land for grazing.

According to the government the ratio of grazing land should be 40 acres of land per 100 grazing cattle. The area remaining at present of 712 acres of land is inadequate, they said.