Background of the Issue:

  • Recently, The Southern Zonal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a directive restraining the Andhra Pradesh Government from proceeding with six major infrastructure projects in the Kolleru wetland.
  • The decision came after the projects were proposed in the region under the P. Krishna - Kolleru Salinity Mitigation Projects Corporation Limited, with an estimated total capital outlay of ₹2,952 crore.

ABOUT KOLLERU LAKE

  • Kolleru Lake is a large, shallow, freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh.
  • It's between the Krishna and Godavari rivers, near Eluru. It's the biggest shallow freshwater lake in Asia, covering 308 sq km.
  • The lake helps to control flooding from those rivers and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
  • It's a wildlife sanctuary and a Ramsar site, home to many migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, pelicans, and painted storks.
  • It's on the Central Asian Flyway, a route many birds use.
  • Over 50,000 water birds live there, making it an Important Bird Area.

NGT’S DIRECTIVE

  • The Andhra Pradesh government is prohibited from continuing with the 6 infrastructure projects unless they are conducted in compliance with legal requirements.
  • The Water Resources Department (WRD) must first secure necessary environmental clearances from:
    • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
    • P. Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA)
    • P. Pollution Control Board (PCB)
    • National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

NATURE OF THE PROJECTS

  • The projects, which include the construction of barrages, regulators, and sluices, are planned to impact Kolleru Lake, a protected eco-sensitive zone.
  • Specifically, the projects involve 3 regulators-cum-roads across the tidal water channel Upputeru, which is part of the Kolleru ecosystem and falls under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RAISED

  • A well-known environmental activist challenged the projects on multiple grounds:
    • The projects were initiated without conducting a scientific or ecological study.
    • No expert consultation from wetland conservationists, wildlife specialists, and hydrologists was undertaken.
    • Statutory clearances were not obtained before launching the projects.
    • There were concerns about the potential destruction of the lake’s biodiversity and aquatic habitats.

NGT’S RULING

  • After hearing both parties, the NGT emphasized the importance of evaluating the ecological and hydrological implications of the proposed projects thoroughly, especially due to their potential adverse impacts on the lake.
  • The Kolleru Lake holds immense ecological significance, and any destruction could harm its hydrology and biodiversity.
  • The NGT stressed the need to comply with domestic environmental laws and the Ramsar Convention, which underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of vital ecosystems.

ABOUT NGT

Establishment:

  • Established on October 18, 2010, under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.

Purpose:

  • Effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to:
    • Environmental protection
    • Conservation of forests and other natural resources
    • Enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment
    • Providing relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.

KEY FEATURES

  • Specialized Body: Equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
  • Procedure: Not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but guided by principles of natural justice.
  • Objective: To provide speedy environmental justice and reduce the burden of litigation in higher courts.
  • Timeframe: Mandated to endeavor for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.

LOCATION

  • Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi
  • Other Places of Sitting: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai.
  • Accessibility: Will follow a circuit procedure to make itself more accessible.