File photo of the proposed site of the Neutrino Project
File photo of the proposed site of the Neutrino Project
Chennai

‘INO team trying to duck NGT order via Kerala’

Activists alleged that the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) team is trying to circumvent the order passed by the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), demanding a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment before applying for an environmental clearance on the controversial Neutrino Project.
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Chennai

Petitioner G Sundar Rajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal pointed out that the INO team is trying to get a wildlife clearance from the Government of Kerala. 

“The proposed site for the Neutrino project is close to the Mathikettan Shola National Park, requiring a clearance from the National Board for Wildlife. However, we heard that the team is trying to get this from the Kerala government. 

This is a category A project and the environmental clearance can only be granted after a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has to be done by an accredited agency. This should be translated into Tamil and Malayalam and disseminated. Then, a public hearing should be conducted. 

Only after this can a clearance from the National Board for Wildlife be elicited. However, the team is trying to get the wildlife clearance without a fresh EIA,” he said, adding, that the order had specifically directed for an EIA by an accredited agency. 

“If they don’t do that, we will expose the dubious nature of the INO team,” added the activist. Attempts were made to the INO team for a comment but the calls went unanswered.

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