MIDC commits to NGT to keep trees safe in Pawane PAP plot allotment

Navi Mumbai: An environment watchdog has flagged the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) against violation of the latter’s undertaking on oath submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that no trees would be cut in the allotment of a plot to a project affected person (PAP) at Pawane in Navi Mumbai.

In response to a plea by NatConnect Foundation against the allotment of the plot amid several trees for a boarding and lodging facility, MIDC has given an undertaking that there are no trees on the plot and that no trees in its periphery would be allowed to be cut.

NatConnect director B N Kumar had in November moved the NGT’s western zonal bench against the allotment for a boarding and lodging facility from an open space marked as OS-7 at Pawane.

MIDC contended that the 300-mtr plot status has been changed from open category to ‘for amenities’.

The allotment letter clearly mentioned that no trees would be allowed to be cut, MIDC informed the NGT. Moreover, no trees exist on the plot carved out of OS-7, the corporation said on oath.

The NGT’s western zonal bench has recorded the MIDC undertaking disposed of the application recently as the applicant’s counsel had further grouse.

But to his astonishment, NatConnect director B N Kumar said, he just found that close to 20 trees have been included in the barricaded area of the plot allotted to the PAP.

This is shocking since the MIDC has committed that the 300 mtr plot shall be carved out to ensure that there are no trees on it, Kumar said in his legal notice served through his counsel Adv Ronita Bhattacharya to the corporation and the allottee.

The notice has cautioned the MIDC against any tree cutting under the guise of the PAP plot and said the complainant reserves the right to take legal action as he deems fit, including prosecution at the NGT, for violation of the solemn undertaking.

State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has earlier opposed the allotment of the plot amid trees developed by a private petro-chem company and asked the MIDC to make alternative arrangements for the PAP.

Green cover in the chemical belt must be maintained at any cost, Naik informed the MIDC regional officer.

The legal notice has been emailed to the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister.

NatConnect notice gave a seven-day deadline to MIDC to assure no tree cutting has occurred nor will it occur, and that the allotted boundaries will be strictly adhered to in compliance with the NGT order.

The notice signed by Adv Bhattacharya cautioned MIDC CEO of “appropriate proceedings for prosecution, and recovery of environmental compensation before the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal and other competent fora, entirely at your risk as to costs and consequences”.