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MoEF spikes two projects in Vidarbha for violations

On ground, the two projects started work without clearance.

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As if allegations of corruption in Gosikhurd and other irrigation projects by the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) that blew the lid off the irrigation scam were not enough, there is more bad news for the state-owned corporation. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), MoEF, has refused to consider two VIDC projects from Buldhana for environment clearance citing violations.

The EAC found several violations under both the Environment Impact Analysis notification (2006) and Environment Protection Act, 1986, at Ar-Kacheri and Alegaon irrigation projects, which were discussed for granting Terms of Reference (TORs).

Though they came up for approval only now, on the ground, both projects have started work without waiting for any environmental clearance. The EAC has pointed out how work was stopped only after strong local protests and even litigation, something VIDC admitted to.

Together, both projects are set to submerge 436 hectares of forest and irrigated, cultivated land. Although 80% of the land under submergence is cultivated and irrigated by ground water, the pre-feasibility reports (PFR) claim, “The projects will not cause submergence or affect population.”

This discrepancy too was pointed out by the EAC, to which VIDC has not been able to offer any answers. While Alewadi project is just 1.75km from the core boundary of Melghat Tiger Reserve, Ar-Kacheri is 4.75km from the same. The projects have also received ‘stop work’ orders from the Forest Department in 2012 which have gone unheeded too.Despite these serious issues, the state water resources department chose to hide them from the EAC. South Asia Network for Dams Rivers and People (SANDRP) had sent a submission to the EAC prior to the meeting, highlighting these issues.

“Considering work began without required clearances, the EAC should first recommend an inquiry into this and ask officers responsible to be held accountable before considering a clearance,” said the submission, which the EAC seems in agreement to.The EAC has asked VIDC to submit an affidavit with an undertaking not to execute works without obtaining environmental clearance and furnish photographs of the site from all four sides of the project. While asking the state government to take legal action against violations as per the Environment Protection Act, it has reminded that in case of serious violations, the MoEF reserves the right to reject projects altogether.

SANDRP’s Himanshu Thakkar pointed out, “Even as the White Paper on irrigation projects in Maharashtra points fingers at green clearances as a reason for time and cost overruns, the VIDC example is proof of how the functioning of water resource department is responsible for delays and irregularities.”

Though it is mandatory that work on any project cannot begin without environmental clearance, Maharashtra has been breaking this law with impunity. This was observed in the case of Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation for several projects, Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation for numerous lift irrigation schemes on Ujani and Vidarbha Development Corporation for the Lower Painganga Project.

“With this decision, there is hope that VIDC and other IDCs in Maharashtra will become less callous about issues relating to environment and affected communities,” said Thakkar.

Eco concerns
The EAC found several violations under both the Environment Impact Analysis notification (2006) and Environment Protection Act, 1986, at Ar-Kacheri and Alegaon irrigation projects, which were discussed for granting Terms of Reference (TORs).

Together, both projects are set to submerge 436 hectares of forest and irrigated, cultivated land. Although 80% of the land under submergence is cultivated and irrigated by ground water, the pre-feasibility reports claim, “The projects will not cause submergence or affect population.”

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