22/12/2016
Stop varsity, tree felling near Girnar sanctuary: PIL
The Times Of India
AHMEDABAD: A PIL in Gujarat high court questioned on Wednesday deforestationand construction of a university over 44 hectares of land in the Girnar sancturary's buffer zone, the last abode of the Asiatic lions. Three Junagadh-based environment activists have taken exception to allotment of land to Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, construction activities and tendering for green felling to make way for building the university on land Survey No 316 and 280, which are under the eco-sensitive zone as per the notification issued in May, 2012.
This land had earlier been earmarked in 2006 for developing biodiversity and nature education centre. The petitioners have alleged that in violation of laws for protection of forest, environment and wildlife, the Junagadh district collector diverted funds meant for this centre to the proposed university in 2015 without taking permission from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The petitioners have sought directions from the HC for cancellation of land-allotment for university and an immediate stay on tenders for defforestation in the area. Further hearing on this matter is on Friday.
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