Mumbai: Protection of the environment cannot wait,signalled the Bombay high court on Tuesday,as it asked the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) if it could take a decision to declare the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg region of the Western Ghats as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
Adivision bench of Justices D D Sinha and Vijaya Kapse-Tahilramani sought the MoEFs response on the issue after it was informed that it might take around four months to take a final decision on the report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Madhav Gadgil as other some states were yet to reply.
Why cant a decision on declaring the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg corridor as an ESA be taken independently the judges asked.What are the difficulties and impediments A speedy decision would be in the interest of (the) ecology and environment.We direct the additional solicitor general to check with the MoEF as to why a decision in respect of the acceptance and applicability of the Gadgil report cannot be taken independently with regard to the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg corridor,which could curtail the delay and benefit (the) ecology and environment. The court asked the ASG to inform the court about the MoEFs stand on the next date of hearing scheduled for November 20.
The ASG informed the court that the process of consultation with the states was going on and a piecemeal approach focusing on individual states could not be taken.The state,in its affidavit,has supported ESA status for the belt.
Adivision bench of Justices D D Sinha and Vijaya Kapse-Tahilramani sought the MoEFs response on the issue after it was informed that it might take around four months to take a final decision on the report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Madhav Gadgil as other some states were yet to reply.
Why cant a decision on declaring the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg corridor as an ESA be taken independently the judges asked.What are the difficulties and impediments A speedy decision would be in the interest of (the) ecology and environment.We direct the additional solicitor general to check with the MoEF as to why a decision in respect of the acceptance and applicability of the Gadgil report cannot be taken independently with regard to the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg corridor,which could curtail the delay and benefit (the) ecology and environment. The court asked the ASG to inform the court about the MoEFs stand on the next date of hearing scheduled for November 20.
The ASG informed the court that the process of consultation with the states was going on and a piecemeal approach focusing on individual states could not be taken.The state,in its affidavit,has supported ESA status for the belt.
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