The Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board (MPCB) will reassess the location of a drug and chemical manufacturing unit, proposed 1.46 km away from the nearest village in the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary of Solapur. With the state-level expert appraisal committee having given its go-ahead to the project, along with suggestions to prevent environmental impact, the fate of the extremely vulnerable Great Indian Bustard (GIB) now lies in the hands of MPCB officials.
In the initial hearing for granting environmental clearance to the proposed bulk drugs, intermediaries and chemicals manufacturing unit of Challa Chlorides Private Limited, the state-level committee contended that with the ecologically sensitive zone (ESZ) of GIB yet to be identified by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), the Supreme Court’s direction — that a 10-km distance from the boundary of protected area be considered as ESZ — should be followed.
However, in its 125th meeting, the state-level committee decided to consider the case under category “B” and take up appraisal of the EIA report. “However, as a matter of abundant precaution, the MPCB should verify the location of the project with reference to boundary of the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary before granting consent to operate,” said committee officials.
Suryakant Doke, regional officer, MPCB, Pune, said he was yet to conduct a survey and would take an update about the location of the company soon. “The MIDC area of Solapur is approved by the state as an industrial area. But I am yet to check the location of this particular unit, and grant the necessary permissions,” he said. Meanwhile, the forest department has revealed plans to declare 400 sq km area surrounding the 366.76 sq km GIB Sanctuary in Solapur as a buffer or eco-sensitive zone. With the decision still pending, once it comes into effect, no mining activity or setting up of chemical factory in the buffer area will be allowed. Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forest (Pune) remained unavailable for comment.
