The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised concerns about environmental norms being violated by a shipbuilding yard at Sachana that lies close to Khijadiya Wildlife Sanctuary, a freshwater wetland, declared Ramsar Site on February 4.
The shipbuilding yard at Sachana was established in 1977. Operations were shut down in 2011-12. In 2020, the state government gave a green light to restart the yard despite issues raised by the forest department pertaining to environment clearances were resolved, said sources.
In an order dated February 4, the Pune bench directed the Gujarat government to form a committee to examine the issue raised in an application about the ship-breaking unit violating environmental norms and damaging the ecology of the bird sanctuary by causing continuous noise, hampering human health and fauna in the coastal zone.
“The committee is directed to visit the place and submit a factual report within four weeks. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) will be the nodal agency for coordination and logistic support,” stated the NGT order.
The joint committee will include a representative of Gujarat Port and Transport Department, a Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) official, representative of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and member secretary, GPCB.
Experts claim that the yard falls under CRZ-1 A as it has critical habitat such as mangroves within the 500-metrd area.
Significantly, India is party to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) and holds its presidentship till 2023.
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