New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Centre, along with the Uttar Pradesh government, as well as Mirzapur Thermal Energy UP Private Limited, over violation of a 2016 order of the NGT, which prohibited construction on Mirzapur forest division’s forest land.>
The company, a subsidiary of Adani Power, is illegally constructing walls and roads on forest land, and also encroaching on other lands, reported The New Indian Express.>
A sloth bear conservation reserve is also proposed in the Mirzapur forest division of eastern Uttar Pradesh.>
The forest is also an important habitat for rich and threatened wildlife for at least 24 terrestrial animals unique to the Vindhyan-Kaimoor ecosystem.>
On December 21, 20, the green tribunal had set aside the Environmental Clearance (EC) to power company Welspun Energy Private Limited for setting up a 2×660 MW super critical coal-based thermal power plant at Dadri Khurd village in Mirzapur, reported The New Indian Express.>
At present, the plant is transferred to Mirzapur Energy UP Private Limited owned by the Adani group.>
The EC, dated August 21, 2014, was cancelled after it was found that process of consideration and appraisal of the proposal to grant EC was tainted.>
Farmers of the area had also accused the company of forcibly registering their land without their consent.>