The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a directive to the Union Environment Ministry, central and state pollution control boards, and Vedanta Ltd to file affidavits in response to a petition filed by environmentalist Ramesh Gauns. The petition challenges the environmental clearance granted to the Bicholim mineral block 1, which was won by Vedanta Ltd. Gauns alleges that the environmental assessment report suppressed information about the presence of 13 lakes in the mining area.
The NGT has instructed that the replies be filed within a period of four weeks. In his petition, Gauns raised 50 grounds for challenging the environmental clearance granted to Vedanta, including concerns about the preparation of a cumulative environmental impact assessment report. The report was not prepared as required, despite the presence of two adjacent mines in the area. Gauns also criticized the public hearing, which was held 13 kilometers away from the village, making it difficult for villagers to attend.
The NGT began hearing the petition last year, and Vedanta was granted permission to extract three million tonnes of iron ore per year from its Bicholim block. Additionally, the state government granted permissions for handling around 55 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore lying in various villages in Goa, including Bicholim, Sanguem, Dharbandora, and Sattari. Gauns’ petition aims to hold Vedanta and the authorities accountable for any potential environmental damage resulting from the mining activities.