TBN,11/02: The Western Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Vedanta Limited, and two other entities following an appeal filed by environmental activist Ramesh Gauns. The appeal seeks to revoke the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to Vedanta Ltd for iron ore mining at the Bicholim Mineral Block-I in North Goa.
The MoEF&CC, Vedanta Ltd, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) have been directed to submit their responses within four weeks. The EC, issued on January 23, 2024, permits Vedanta to mine iron ore with a capacity of 3.0 million tons per annum (MTPA). Additionally, the project involves the excavation of 25.162 MTPA of waste material, totaling 28.162 MTPA of excavation, along with the operation of a 4.0 MTPA capacity crushing and screening plant. The mining area spans multiple villages, including Bicholim, Bordem, Lamgao, Mulgao, Mayem, and Sirigao in Bicholim Taluka.
Gauns has contested the EC, alleging that Vedanta Ltd failed to disclose critical information in Form No. 1, specifically regarding the existence of 13 lakes near the mining site. He also raised concerns about the cumulative impact assessment, claiming it overlooked the effects of other ongoing mining operations in the vicinity. Furthermore, Gauns criticized the public hearing process, alleging procedural violations as the hearing was conducted directly at the mining site.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board conducted the environmental public hearing for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Bicholim Mineral Block-I in Sarvan, Nicholim, in August 2023. Vedanta Ltd secured the mining lease for this block during Goa’s first-ever e-auction of mining leases held in December 2022.
The NGT bench, consisting of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, has admitted the appeal and issued notices to the concerned parties. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on April 24.
