The order of the National Green Tribunal regarding setting up of a ethanol plant at village Banana, cuttack district, Odisha, 12/06/2023
The order of the National Green Tribunal (Eastern Zone Bench) in the matter of Bibhindra Beura & Others Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 12/06/2023.
Grievance in the application is against setting up and operation of greenfield project of 125 KLD grain based ethanol plant along with 4 MW cogeneration power plant at village Banana, tehsil Dumpada, district Cuttack, Odisha by M/s. Cuttack Agrivet Private Limited.
According to the applicant, the said plant is in the vicinity of Chandaka Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary which has been declared as eco sensitive zone. However, the DFO and Wildlife Warden wrongly mentioned that the area is outside the eco-sensitive zone and the wildlife. On that basis, the state of Odisha wrongly allotted land to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDCO), who in-turn allotted the same for the project.
The court was informed that EC was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on March 4, 2022 after due examination. According to the EC, the project is within 2.2 km from Chandaka - Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
The NGT asked MoEF&CC to look into the matter and take remedial measures where required since the project is within 5 km from the wildlife sanctuary. The tribunal also directed that since the plant has to follow zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system, water recovered out of process is to be used back in the manufacturing process and closed loop for recirculation is to be followed.