core sector communique

Suo Moto Statement in Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) on the Environmental Clearance for Polavaram Project

Following is the uncorrected text of a Suo Moto Statement made by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State fro Environment and Forests (Independent Charge) in Rajya Sabha today: -

‘Speaker Sir,

I rise to make a suo moto statement on the environmental clearance for Polavaram Project.

The Environment Clearance to the Multipurpose Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh was accorded on 25.10.2005. However, due to a number of writ petitions and due to the conditions laid down in R&R and Forest Clearances that no Submergence and displacement of people including Scheduled Tribes shall take place in the States of Orissa and Chhattisgarh, the Government of Andhra Pradesh proposed construction of protective embankments on Sabari and Sileru Rivers in the States of Chhhattisgarh and Orissa. The proposal was referred to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and after consideration by the Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydro Power Projects (RV&HEP); an amendment to the earlier Environment Clearance was communicated on 9.3.2009 to the Government of Andhra Pradesh by the Ministry of Environment & Forests for conduct of Public Hearing in the States of Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

The Project involves diversion 3731.07 ha of forests land (3473.00 ha notified forest area plus 258.07 ha deemed forest land as per Hon’ble Supreme Court’s definition). After following due procedure, the Polavaram Project has been accorded forest clearance on 28.07.2010 with certain specific conditions.

Since the requisite Public Hearings in The States of Chhattisgarh and Orissa have so far not been held, the Ministry of Environment & Forests had issued a notice to the Government of Andhra Pradesh on 1st November, 2010. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has submitted the reply to this notice requesting the Ministry to review change in the scope of the Project, which is under consideration.