Centre backs AP, no need of green nod for Seema dam
Affirms it is not a new project involving additional cultivable area
Affirming the stand taken by the AP government, the Centre on Friday made it clear that the proposed Rayalaseema lift irrigation scheme (RLIS) does not require environmental clearance because it is not a new project and does not involve any addition to the cultivable command area (CCA).
In an affidavit filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench at Chennai, Dr Sunamani Kerketta, director, Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, said that the RLIS does not fall under any category listed in the schedule of EIA Notification 2006. She said the RLIS is neither an irrigation project nor is a power generation component involved.
Therefore, it is not covered under item 1(c) of the EIA Notification.
This stand is expected to put to rest the contentions of the Telangana state government as it vindicates the stand of the AP government that the RLIS is not a new project. Telangana state had advanced arguments on Friday, contesting the claims of the AP government, filed a 110-page affidavit of objections before the NGT bench.
Dr Sunamani stated that the RLIS does not come under the category of expansion and modernisation of existing projects as there is no such activity in respect of either power generation or irrigation.
The Centre’s affidavit stated the environmental clearance had been taken by the AP government for the three schemes — Telugu Ganga, Srisailam Right Bank Canal and Galeru Nagari — to which the project will be supplying water.
Dr Sunamani stated that the environment clearance for the Telugu Ganga project and the Srisailam Right Bank Canal was granted prior to the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 1994. The Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi was granted under the notification in 1994 and its capacity is stated as 38 tmc ft. These three schemes were constructed at different times and have got environmental clearances separately from the Union environment ministry, she said.
A review of the EC conditions revealed that changing the RLIS from gravity discharge to pumping should not be considered as change in scope as the environmental clearance does not restrict the schemes to gravity discharge, the Centre said.
The TS government asked the NGT to ignore the report of the joint committee dated August 8, 2020, and consider the objection filed by the state or alternatively call for a fresh report and give an opportunity to the state to participate before the joint committee.
Dr Rajat Kumar, principal secretary,
TS irrigation and water department, in his objection affidavit urged the NGT to declare the action of the AP government initiating work on the RLIS without obtaining environment clearance as illegal under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act and Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974.
He sought a direction to the Centre to conduct a detailed study on the adverse effects on the Krishna river flora and fauna, livelihood of people in Telangana state and downstream of Srisailam project due to the RLIS.
AP stated that its submissions to the objections filed by TS be recorded by the NGT on the report of joint committee dated August 8 and pass suitable orders.
TELANGANA STATE had advanced arguments on Friday, contesting the claims of the AP government, filed a 110page affidavit of objections before the NGT bench.