KOCHI: The division bench of the national green tribunal (NGT) has directed a stone quarry firm M/s RDS Project Pvt Ltd to pay an environmental compensation of Rs.1.58 crore to the mining and geology department.
In its ruling, the green court accepted the recommendations by the joint committee appointed by it to assess the environmental damage caused by over-mining in its site in Kuttoor village in Taliparamba, Kannur. The amount will have to be deposited to the Environment Benefit Fund, if any, constituted by the state of Kerala for utilization of the amount for betterment of the environment and restoration of damage caused to the environment due to unscientific manner in which the mining activities are being carried out.
The amount will have to be deposited within a period of three months. It said that if the amount is not deposited, then the district collector can initiate proceedings against the firm for recovery of the amount invoking the Revenue Recovery Act. After realization of the amount, it shall be transferred to the environment benefit fund. If no such fund exists, a separate account will have to be maintained and such a fund will have to be constituted and the same will have to be utilized for the purpose mentioned above.
The state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) has been asked to take appropriate action for the violation of the Environmental Clearance (EC). As the joint committee recommended that no further mining lease can be granted as the resources have been exhausted in that area, it should be strictly adhered to. The Kannur collector and the SEIAA are directed to file their compliance report within a period of four months.
