NGT demands status report on Polavaram

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued an order on Monday to the Union ministry of forest and environment (MoEF) to submit the complete status report on the controversial Polavaram project being constructed by Andhra Pradesh on Godavari river.

The tribunal directed the authorities of the ministry to appear before it in person. Sources said the next hearing of the case is on September 5.

Earlier this month, the NGT had ordered a joint inspection of the Polavaram dam site by the AP Government, the State Pollution Control Board and the Polavaram Project Authority following a complaint about dumping of mud in West Godavari district. Both Odisha and Chhattisgarh have opposed the project.

But that has not stopped the Andhra Pradesh government from going ahead with the project, which has been accorded the status of a national project.

The Odisha government has been demanding that the project should adhere to the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal Award as well as the agreement signed between governments in 1978. The project as per its present design violates the tribunal award as well as the 1978 agreement.

According to representatives of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the project will displace around 6,000 tribals in Odisha's Malkangiri district and 9,000 tribals in Chhattisgarh.

"Gram Sabhas were not held, the Forest Rights Act and other laws governing environment have been violated," the Odisha government said in its petition submitted to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) in May this year.

The Odisha government pointed out to NCST that even the Central Water Commission had not taken Odisha and Chhattisgarh into confidence. Yet environment clearance and forest clearance was accorded to the project.