Applicants struck deal with limestone firm, NGT told

Kullu: Sirmaur deputy commissioner has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the applicants in a case have concealed facts and struck a compromise with a limestone company operating in Kamrau tehsil of the district.In a status report submitted to the tribunal recently, the DC has stated that applicant Chandan Singh and residents of Kuner village had submitted a complaint of environmental violations against Giri Lime and Chemical Private Limited to the district administration on July 31, 2023.The complaint was looked into by the deputy commissioner who had also directed the superintendent of police and mining officer for further action, said the report.A report received from Kaffota sub-divisional officer said that an agreement was executed between the villagers and the Giri Lime on Jan 18 and both the parties had agreed with the terms and conditions of the agreement.In April, the NGT had started hearing in the case after Chandan Singh and residents of Kuner had sent a letter petition to the tribunal stating that that the existence of their village was in danger due to rampant environmental destruction by Green Lime and Chemicals.According to the petition, the construction and demolition waste dumped by the mining company has damaged structures, obstructed streams, springs, pathways and agricultural crops in and around the village.The petitioners had further stated that since they were poor and belonged to a Dalit community, no action was taken by administration despite repeated complaints. According to the petition, residents feared that if not stopped, the debris from the mining site could even bury the entire village in future.Acting on the petition, the tribunal had ordered the setting up of a joint committee comprising officials from the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board and Sirmaur deputy commissioner.In July, the tribunal had also issued notices to the secretary, environment department, member secretary, HP State Pollution Control Board (HPSPCB), Sirmaur DC and Giri Lime and Chemicals, while making them respondents in the ongoing case.We also published the following articles recently