Thiruvananthapuram: Apparantly taking on the CPM, the CPI has moved National Green Tribunal against the systematic destruction of ecologically sensitive Munnar region. In a petition, its state executive committee member P. Prasad pointed out that the lack of foresight on the part of government machinery had aggravated the situation. It sought NGT intervention to protect Munnar from the extensive encroachments destroying its ecology and flora and fauna. The NGT sought the views of the state government on the matter, posted to be heard on January 12.
“It was the decision of our party. Our last Congress had identified environment as a major issue requiring party intervention,” said Mr Prasad who is also the chairman of CPI environment subcommittee. The petition is likely to be taken up along with a suo motu case the NGT took earlier. The petition seeks to direct the state government to initiate measures to remove illegal constructions in the entire region and to enforce all the environment laws including the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Biodiversity Act, 2002 so that the activities carried on in ecologically sensitive Munnar could be stopped at the earliest and the forest lands preserved.
The CPI also sought a direction to State Pollution Control Board to strictly monitor air and water pollution and enforce all powers vested with it under various laws. The PCB needs to take steps for setting up of sewage treatment plant after obtaining necessary permissions. On the Kurinji sanctuary, the petitioner appealed to the NGT to direct the MoEF to issue a notification of eco-sensitive zones around the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are protected areas in and around Munnar.
