Aranmula Project: Green Panel Yet to Give Nod for Fresh Study

PATHANAMTHITTA:The Aranmula Heritage Village Action Council has said the Environment Appraisal Committee under the Union Environment Ministry is yet to give the green signal to the KGS Group to conduct a fresh environment impact study. The action council, which received a copy of the minutes of the Environment Appraisal Committee’s 143rd meeting of January 6 and 7, refuted the claim of the Group that it was given clearance for a fresh impact study and was in fact asked to file details of the issues raised against the project by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) while rejecting the clearance.The KGS Group was also asked to submit the views of the state government on the proposal based on the issues raised by NGT,  the documents said. The Environment Impact Committee told KGS to submit clarifications on the 17 issues raised by the Aranmula Heritage Village Council, including the NGT observation on the threat to ecosystem, paddy field, wetland and social life of people in Aranmula, Supreme Court judgment against KGS appeal, reference on land, land with the company for the airport is only 313 acres, including incorrect land survey documents, the action council documents said. It also asked clarification on why state government gave only in-principle nod instead of NOC for the  various land deals of the Group.