Question : VIOLATION OF CLEARANCE NORMS

(a) whether environmental clearance has been accorded to the upcoming housing project, Lavasa Hill City in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the agency executing Lavasa Housing Projects have violated some of the norms/conditionalities of the environmental norms/regularities;

(d) if so, whether any enquiry has been conducted to assess the extent of damage to the environment by the said projects;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) & (b) M/s Lavasa Corporation Limited submitted a proposal seeking environmental clearance on 2nd February, 2011 for 2000 hectors (Phase-I). The proposal was appraised by the Expert Appraisal Committee in its various meetings and the Committee recommended the proposal with certain conditions. Environmental clearance is not issued as on date.

(c) to (f) Ministry has earlier issued a Show cause notice under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to M/s Lavasa Corporation Limited on 25th November, 2010 and issued final directions on 17th January, 2011. M/s Lavasa Corporation Limited has filed writ petitions in the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay challenging the Show cause notice and final directions.