Latest news with #SiddhantaDas
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CEC finds Yamuna embankment in Kalesar National Park intact
Gurgaon: The Supreme Court-appointed central empowered committee (CEC) this month confirmed allegations that an embankment was built in the protected Kalesar National Park to divert Yamuna waters and Haryana govt's submission that the structure had been removed was false. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now CEC visited the park in Yamunanagar on May 19 and found that the embankment across the river was intact, according to the report submitted by the committee's chairperson Siddhanta Das this week. The Kalesar park is an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ), where construction is barred and any non-forest activity needs to be approved by the ESZ monitoring committee. CEC recommended taking penal action against responsible officials, halting all illegal construction immediately, improving ESZ committee's oversight mechanism and training all govt officials in ESZ norms. The case stems from a petition filed in March by activist Sanjay Kumar, who alleged that an embankment was built on the river by Haryana's irrigation department and the structure diverted Yamuna's waters to UP to aid illegal mining. The petitioner's counsel also submitted satellite imagery as evidence of construction. The SC bench of justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, while hearing the plea in April this year, ordered the CEC to investigate the site. It also directed the petitioner to submit copies of the plea with Haryana and UP govts for their responses. CEC, after the inspection on May 19, submitted its report to the top court on May 26. It said that the state's irrigation department had informed the ESZ monitoring committee on May 15 that the embankment was temporary to stop nearby farmlands and villages from flooding. The department told the monitoring panel that the structure was removed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "During the site visit, it was also observed that the embankment was constructed across the river's flow, which contradicts the submissions made in the minutes of the district-level ESZ monitoring committee meeting. Irrigation department officials then informed that the said embankment was constructed temporarily…" CEC's report to SC noted. The report also said that 1,800 metres from the embankment, nine concrete studs and a 450m cement wall were being built without ESZ committee's clearance. Further, CEC said, a day before its site visit, the irrigation department submitted a "written statement" from the contractor tasked with building the embankment that this structure was constructed to "facilitate concreting work" to prevent soil erosion and the firm has "since removed it". In its observations, CEC pointed out the violations – that the ESZ monitoring committee "failed" to take suo-motu cognizance of construction in the Kalesar National Park; the irrigation department "misrepresented the nature and location of the embankment", and that "no permissions" were sought for construction in the protected area. In addition, the report said, the contractor's admission that the embankment was built for concreting work and not to avoid flooding "came only a day before CEC's site visit, raising further concerns about transparency and compliance". The will take up the petition in July next. Asked about CEC's findings, Haryana's principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Vineet Garg said strict instructions have been issued by the ESZ panel to ensure compliance with environmental regulations in the future. "The state has acknowledged the ecological importance of the Rajaji–Kalesar–Simbalbara wildlife corridor and expressed its commitment to conservation efforts. As part of this, Haryana will prepare a proposal to strengthen the corridor," Garg said. Yamuna's passage in the Kalesar park is part of a critical wildlife corridor through the Shivalik hills. This corridor facilitates movement of wildlife between Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, Kalesar National Park in Haryana and Simbalbara National Park in Himachal Pradesh. The petitioner's counsel Gaurav Kumar Bansal told TOI on Thursday that this region is a "crucial dispersal zone" for wildlife, allowing them to move through protected forests across states. "These habitats are vital for restoring historical tiger ranges and strengthening wildlife connectivity across the northern landscape. However, illegal embankments like the one constructed on Yamuna river — especially those that alter its natural flow — pose a serious threat to this fragile ecosystem. Such interventions can severely disrupt wildlife movement, degrade habitats and undermine the corridor's ecological integrity," Bansal said.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Project to map state's forest lands in final phase: Officials
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The geo-referencing (mapping) of Odisha's forest land has entered its final phase, with around 95% of the work already completed, officials said. The project, covering 60,000 sq km of forest land, is being implemented under the guidance of a central empowered committee constituted by the ministry of forests, environment and climate change, following Supreme Court directives. During a high-level review meeting chaired by committee chairman Siddhanta Das on Monday, officials discussed the progress of the project and its implications. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Satyabrata Sahu, additional chief secretary, state forest department, and Suresh Panth, chief principal conservator of forests. "This is a historic initiative that will expedite the state's development process," said Das, mentioning Odisha's implementation as a model for other states to follow. The project aims to streamline forest land management through precise boundary determination, protecting indigenous rights, facilitating community access to non-timber forest products and resolving land disputes. The geo-referencing project addresses a crucial challenge in forest land administration. Under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, non-forest development activities on forest land require Centre's approval. The new system will significantly reduce delays in development activities caused by inaccurate records. Subhadarshi Mishra, director of the Spatial Planning and Analysis Research Centre, presented valuable insights during the meeting.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CEC halts Balbharati-Paud Phata Road project in Pune; SC to review plan
In a significant development, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has directed the Maharashtra government to immediately halt construction activities related to the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata Road (BBPP) project until the matter is reviewed by the apex court. The May 16 letter signed by Siddhanta Das, chairman, CEC, and addressed to the Maharashtra chief secretary states that no work should be undertaken in areas identified as 'deemed forest' along the 2.1km proposed road alignment. The committee warned that proceeding with construction in these areas would constitute violation of the Supreme Court's judgment in T.N. Godavarman vs Union of India & Others (1996), as well as the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. The directive comes in response to a petition filed in March 2024 by the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti (VTBKS), a Pune-based citizens' group. The plea urged the CEC to intervene in order to protect the Vetal tekdi (hill) and its ecologically sensitive forest ecosystem from what the group called 'irreversible damage'. The group also alleged that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had failed to comply with a 2016 Bombay High Court order, which required both a comprehensive need assessment and an environmental impact assessment before any decision could be made on the project. Following the petition, the CEC conducted a site visit on April 12, 2024, and submitted its findings, currently under consideration by the top court. CEC member Sunil Limaye had visited the project site where around 30 citizens expressed their concerns, stressing on the importance of preserving the current ecosystem at the hill. He also met representatives of PMC road department and forest officials. Notably, earlier in February 2025, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition filed by city-based NGO Nagrik Chetna Manch challenging the proposed Balbharati-Paud Road through Law College Hill. The court also directed PMC to obtain permissions from the environment and forest departments if required before proceeding with the construction. Green activists have hailed the status quo instruction by CEC for the project. Amit Gadre, VTBKS member, said, 'The direction is a big relief for all of us who are voicing our concerns for the plan. While we are waiting for the SC's judgement, construction has been halted for the proposed project.' Balbharati-Paud Phata Road plan was incorporated into the city's development plan (DP) to alleviate Law College Road congestion.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No construction of Pune's Balbharati-Paud Phata Road till Supreme Court's decision on inspection report: Apex Court panel to state
1 2 3 4 5 6 Pune: The Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee in a letter on Friday requested the Maharashtra chief secretary to ensure that no construction is carried out in " deemed forest " area as its report on the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata Road is pending consideration before the apex court. "The matter is under consideration by the Hon'ble Supreme Court . It is requested that no construction work is carried out in 'deemed forest' in violation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment in the T N Godavarman vs Union of India & Ors. Case (1996) and subsequent orders, and Rule 16 (1) of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023," stated the letter by CEC chairman Siddhanta Das. The letter came in response to a representation by Sumita Kale and others from the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti (VTBKS) that sought the committee's intervention to prevent "serious environmental destruction of the forest and hill slope on Vetal hill" for the construction of the (2.1km) Balbharati-Paud Phata Road by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). As a planning authority, PMC has proposed the Balbharati-Paud Phata Road with an objective to decongest the traffic from Balbharati to German Bakery Law College, Aathle Chowk and Paud Phata. Environmental activists have been opposing the plan for years now on the grounds that the proposed road would be no solution to resolving the traffic congestion but would only cause huge environmental harm to the hill. On March 2, 2024, Kale and others had approached the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee with a plea to stop construction of the proposed road. The committee then deputed its member, Sunil Limaye, to assess the situation on ground and get first-hand information and views about the Balbharti-Paud Phata Road from all stakeholders. A joint meeting of the applicants, project proponent (PMC) and the forest department was held on April 5, 2024, and followed by two site inspections on April 12, 2024, and April 15, 2024. Based on a detailed note by Limaye about the assessment exercise, the Central Empowered Committee member secretary, Banumathi G, placed a report on Sept 19, 2024, before the Supreme Court and the same is pending final decision by the court. TOI on Friday made calls and sent a message to state chief secretary Sujata Saunik seeking her response on the matter. However, there was no response till the time of going to press. Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of the PMC's road department, told TOI: "We are waiting for an official copy of the Central Empowered Committee letter and our administration will take a call on future course of action after due legal consultation. We will follow the Supreme Court's directives in the matter." The Central Empowered Committee report to the Supreme Court has elaborated in details various aspects of the issue and concluded, among other things, that constructing the Balbharati-Paud Phata Road Road "will not be a permanent solution to the present problem" and that construction of the proposed road shall not be permitted to save the forest and biodiversity of the area. It stated: "It is a principle proven multiple times world over that more roads do not give permanent solutions to traffic problems. In fact, they lead to more vehicles on the roads which again results in larger traffic congestion." The report has suggested a slew of alternatives and the need to provide an efficient and adequate public transport system, requisite traffic management and good last mile connectivity with mass transit systems. VTBKS member Prajakta Divekar said: "We hope the state govt actively protects Vetal Tekdi as the natural heritage of Pune in the wake of the Central Empowered Committee report." Pune: The Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee in a letter on Friday requested the Maharashtra chief secretary to ensure that no construction is carried out in "deemed forest" area as its report on the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata Road is pending consideration before the apex court. "The matter is under consideration by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It is requested that no construction work is carried out in 'deemed forest' in violation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment in the T N Godavarman vs Union of India & Ors. Case (1996) and subsequent orders, and Rule 16 (1) of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023," stated the letter by CEC chairman Siddhanta Das. The letter came in response to a representation by Sumita Kale and others from the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti (VTBKS) that sought the committee's intervention to prevent "serious environmental destruction of the forest and hill slope on Vetal hill" for the construction of the (2.1km) Balbharati-Paud Phata Road by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). As a planning authority, PMC has proposed the Balbharati-Paud Phata Road with an objective to decongest the traffic from Balbharati to German Bakery Law College, Aathle Chowk and Paud Phata. Environmental activists have been opposing the plan for years now on the grounds that the proposed road would be no solution to resolving the traffic congestion but would only cause huge environmental harm to the hill. On March 2, 2024, Kale and others had approached the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee with a plea to stop construction of the proposed road. The committee then deputed its member, Sunil Limaye, to assess the situation on ground and get first-hand information and views about the Balbharti-Paud Phata Road from all stakeholders. A joint meeting of the applicants, project proponent (PMC) and the forest department was held on April 5, 2024, and followed by two site inspections on April 12, 2024, and April 15, 2024. Based on a detailed note by Limaye about the assessment exercise, the Central Empowered Committee member secretary, Banumathi G, placed a report on Sept 19, 2024, before the Supreme Court and the same is pending final decision by the court. TOI on Friday made calls and sent a message to state chief secretary Sujata Saunik seeking her response on the matter. However, there was no response till the time of going to press. Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of the PMC's road department, told TOI: "We are waiting for an official copy of the Central Empowered Committee letter and our administration will take a call on future course of action after due legal consultation. We will follow the Supreme Court's directives in the matter." The Central Empowered Committee report to the Supreme Court has elaborated in details various aspects of the issue and concluded, among other things, that constructing the Balbharati-Paud Phata Road Road "will not be a permanent solution to the present problem" and that construction of the proposed road shall not be permitted to save the forest and biodiversity of the area. It stated: "It is a principle proven multiple times world over that more roads do not give permanent solutions to traffic problems. In fact, they lead to more vehicles on the roads which again results in larger traffic congestion." The report has suggested a slew of alternatives and the need to provide an efficient and adequate public transport system, requisite traffic management and good last mile connectivity with mass transit systems. VTBKS member Prajakta Divekar said: "We hope the state govt actively protects Vetal Tekdi as the natural heritage of Pune in the wake of the Central Empowered Committee report."
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Headless & sans members, ORERA in limbo; Odisha makes H&UD principal secretary regulatory authority
BHUBANESWAR: With all key posts in the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) including that of chairman lying vacant, the state government on Monday appointed the principal secretary, Housing and Urban Development department as its regulatory authority. As per the notification of the H&UD department, the principal secretary will remain the regulatory authority of ORERA as per the provisions of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 until further orders. The ORERA functions with three senior officials - a chairman and two members -- member (judicial) and member (administration). After ORERA chairman Siddhanta Das resigned on February 28, the H&UD department had appointed member (judicial) Gopal Chandra Patnaik as the acting chairperson. Patnaik retired on May 9, a week after the retirement of member (administration) Pradeep Biswal, leaving the authority headless. Sources said though a three-member panel has shortlisted names and submitted it to the state government for appointment to the three positions, some home buyers, owing to the delay in appointment, moved the Orissa High Court and the Supreme Court and the matter is now sub-judice in the HC. The principal secretary of the H&UD department has been appointed as the regulatory authority for the body as a temporary measure, they added.
