NGT Issues Notices To Centre, Odisha Over Permit For Stone Quarry Near Kuldiha Sanctuary

Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to the Centre, Odisha government and others over grant of permit for extraction of stone from Mirigini stone quarry in Nilagiri area of Balasore district.

The matter came under NGT’s scanner following allegations that blasting activities will adversely affect the adjoining Kuldhia wildlife sanctuary and human habitation.

NGT’s East Zone Bench in Kolkata issued notices to the deputy director general of Forest, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Chairman of state Environment Impact Assessment Authority), member secretary of Odisha State Pollution Control Board, district Collector of Balasore and Tehsildar of Nilagiri, sources said.

Nilagiri Tehsildar had issued the quarry permit in favour of Subarnarekha Port Pvt Ltd on July 26, 2022, for the extraction of 21,252 cubic metres of stone from the quarry for a period of one year. The bench of Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (expert member) issued the notices on a petition filed by Sukanta Behera, a resident of Balasore district. The bench has fixed August 29 for consideration of the matter along with the responses from the respondents, who have been asked to reply to the notices within four weeks.

As per NGT’s order the petition had stated that an anganwadi, primary school, health and wellness centre, community centre and many houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) have been constructed close to the proposed quarry and blasting activities will have a serious impact on the habitations and structures.

It was further alleged the quarry activity will deplete the groundwater level in the nearby area and cause water scarcity. It was stated the local villagers have filed their objection before the local authorities on April 12, 2023, but no step has so far been taken.