Skip to main content

Postpone Nayara Energy public hearing: Gujarat environmental NGO writes to CM

By A Representative
Gujarat’s top environmental NGO Paryavaran Mitra has taken strong exception to the proposed environmental public hearing of the Nayara Energy Ltd in Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka districts, organized by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), scheduled for July 28 and 29, citing the current restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter to Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, NGO director Mahesh Pandya said, on June 25 it had drawn the attention of the Jamnagar and Devbhoomi Dwarka district collectors, as also senior GPCB officials towards the need to postpone the hearing, “but, no action has been taken by them regarding this.”
“Our experience suggests that during such public hearings anywhere between 50 and 5,000 people participate”, the letter stated, adding, the decision to hold the public hearing is particularly surprising, as cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls etc. remain closed in view of the pandemic, and there are restrictions on on large social large gatherings.
“Even in a tragic event like the death of a person only 20 persons are allowed to remain present”, the letter said, adding, “During wedding, only 50 people are allowed to.” Against this backdrop, the NGO said, the GPCB has clearly “violated” the state home department order, issued on June 30 by seeking to go ahead with environmental public hearing.

Comments

TRENDING

Small Farm, big success: How an innovative couple built a model of sustainable farming

By Bharat Dogra  In Sema, a remote village in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district, Bhagwati Lal and his wife Rekha share equal credit for creating a remarkable farm that has become an inspiration for villagers and visitors alike. Their achievement demonstrates how even a very small piece of land can provide a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods while enhancing climate resilience and protecting the environment.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Shrinking settlements, fading schools: The Tibetan exile crisis in India

By Tseten Lhundup*  Since the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the Tibetan exile community in Dharamsala has established the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) as the guardian of Tibetan culture and identity. Once admired for its democratic governance , educational system , and religious vitality , the exile community now faces an alarming demographic and institutional decline.