Ramban land sinking: Ministry assures NGT of environmental commitment

Affirms legal obligations for environmental clearance amidst construction concerns

SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is fully aware of the facts surrounding the case of land sinking in Ramban and is committed to upholding environmental regulations as mandated by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, officials of the said department has informed National Green Tribunal.
National Green Tribunal had taken cognizance of alarming reports regarding land sinking in Parnote Village, Ramban District, Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue, highlighted in a news article titled "Land sinking: A new environmental challenge in J&K," published on daily English news paper on April 29, 2024, has raised serious concerns about the impact of extensive construction activities in ecologically fragile zones.
Khursid Alam Khan, a Scientist 'C' at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has submitted an affidavit on behalf of the Ministry, addressing the allegations.
The affidavit outlines the Ministry's position regarding the environmental implications of ongoing construction projects, including road expansions and tunnel constructions, which are reportedly being conducted without the necessary Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Khan emphasizes that the Ministry is fully aware of the facts surrounding the case and is committed to upholding environmental regulations as mandated by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
He notes that the Central Government has the authority to enforce rules to protect the environment and that the EIA Notification of 1994, later amended in 2004, requires prior environmental clearance for numerous projects, particularly those that may significantly impact the ecosystem.
The Ministry's response emphasizes that all new projects or activities listed in the Schedule to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, or the expansion or modernization of existing projects, must undergo a mandatory process of screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal, including conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment and obtaining Environmental Clearance before commencing any construction activity.
As the National Green Tribunal deliberates on the matter, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change asserts that it is obligated to comply with the provisions of the EIA Notification, which mandates prior Environmental Clearance for various projects, particularly those that may significantly disrupt the ecosystem.
The affidavit submitted by Khursid Alam Khan on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change outlines the legal obligations surrounding environmental assessments for construction projects in Jammu and Kashmir. It emphasizes that any new projects or expansions listed in the EIA Notification, 2006, must undergo a comprehensive process that includes screening, scoping, public consultation, and appraisal, culminating in the necessity of obtaining prior Environmental Clearance.