By Our Correspondent
PARADIP/BHUBANESWAR: Photos and video footage shared in social media platforms, has exposed how Sajjan Jindal led JSW Steel is violating forest and wildlife laws for construction of its Steel plant near Paradip in Odisha’s costal district of Jagatsinghpur. Moreover, the incident has also raised questions about the role of the Odisha Forest and Environment Department and as well as the office of Chief Wildlife Warden.
It may be noted here that, the environmental clearance of the JSW project in Paradip has been cancelled due to many flaws of the company and now it is being discussed that the death of the deer can create more trouble for the JSW which is carrying out the construction of project in spite of cancellation of the environment clearance.
Sources said, a good number rare wildlife, including deer, in the surrounding rural forest of JSW projects near Paradip, are gradually disappearing due to the construction of the project.
Sources citing one such incident, said, locals have expressed concern over the discovery of a carcass of a big deer in the restricted area of the JSW project near Gobindpur Mansalapada in the suburbs of Paradip on Tuesday.
According to reports, the incident occurred despite the presence of high boundary wall on all four sides of the JSW project and security personnel in the restricted area. It is alleged that the deer was caught in a net and suspected to have died due to the entanglement.
The fact that the dead deer was hastily loaded in a tractor by the company’s security personnel and taken away from the spot has strengthened the public suspicion. Locals are not ready to believe that it can be any outsiders job in the in the restricted and well-guarded area of the JSW.
The National Green Tribunal had suspended the environmental clearance for two interconnected projects – an integrated steel plant (with cement and power plants) and a jetty project near Paradip Port worth Rs 65,000 crore in March this year.
The suspension letter read, “We are conscious that the project involves huge investment. At the same time, principle of sustainable development cannot be ignored. Apart from significant issue of public hearing, important issue of location of the project close to polluted area, jetty being unnecessarily close to an established port, huge water being taken from the river which may affect drinking water needs and flow of the river and important issues which need express consideration.”“Matter will need fresh appraisal by the EAC by reasoned consideration and fresh decision by MoEF&CC,” the NGT letter read.
“Accordingly, we allow these appeals and remit the matter to the MoEF&CC for fresh appraisal and decision by MoEF&CC in the light of the above observations which may take place within three months. Till such decision, ECs will remain suspended and all pending IAs will also stand disposed of,” the letter stated.
