SC asks Karnataka & Centre if Mhadei diversion canal has Env clearance

The Supreme Court has ordered the Karnataka government as well as the centre to file affidavits within a week whether environment clearance is taken or given to construct such a long canal through the forest of Western Ghat.

Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan had filed a case in 2009 objecting to the digging of a canal through the forests. The area is almost 258 hectres.

And the cost is around 330 crore rupees. Environment clearance is a must for any such project above 100 crores.

MBA Convenor Nirmala Sawant, Secretary Rajendra Kerkar, Dr Nandkumar Kamat and other social activists look at this order as the most positive development.

The next hearing is on 17^th of August.

Karnataka has also told the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal that it has already completed the work of the canal.

But NBA Secretary Rajendra Kerkar denies this claim. He says it would take two more years to complete the whole project.