Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 22: The principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) at New Delhi, on Wednesday September 21, adjourned the final arguments over Yettinahole Project to November 7 and 8, after the advocate for Karnataka pleaded for time. The court in the meantime, strictly told the concerned not to cut down trees without getting clearance from the union department of environment.

On Wednesday, advocate for one of the petitioners, K N Somashekhar, filed affidavit with the tribunal, saying that Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd and contractors, in clear violation of order issued earlier by the NGT against felling any more trees, had cut down lot of trees. It was also pointed out that ten times the number of trees felled have not been planted as per condition.

The bench had set Wednesday for final arguments in the case and it was also expected to issue orders the same day. But the government advocate said that he could not prepare detailed reply because of issues like Cauvery dispute in the state and some other reasons, and sought time. Advocate for Somashekhar objected, saying that the government is unduly delaying the issue purposefully.

The bench asked the state government to file objections if any within a week, duly warning that objections received thereafter will not be taken into consideration. As a result, the applications filed by Purushotham Chitrapur and others against the project also got postponed to November 7 and 8.