Mullaperiyar: T.N. moves SC against parking project

Mullaperiyar: T.N. moves SC against parking project

Context:

• The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) gave green signal to Kerala’s proposal of a mega car parking project in the water spread area of the Mullaperiyar dam.
• But the Tamil Nadu government raised a strong opposition against the decision.

What is the project?

• The  various construction projects includes parking for the tourist vehicles and construction of reception blocks, cafeteria, sewage treatment plant, eco-shops complex, toilets, dining block, office block, road work, and road work for battery operated vehicle, developing different thematic arboretums, landscaping, etc.
• Purpose of the project: project is intended for tourism and commercial activities.

What are the reasons for the Tamil Nadu government to oppose the project?  

• The construction and the water spread area of the dam falls within the leased area of the Tamil Nadu government.
• The construction would environmentally affect the catchment area; the water spread area of the dam and consequently the waters of the reservoir.
• The waters of the reservoir are used for drinking and irrigation purposes by the people of five districts of Tamil Nadu.

What are clarifications put forward by NGT?

• The Tribunal clarified that no clearance is required to be taken by Kerala under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
• It holds that such activities do not amount to diversion of forest land and utilisation of forest land for non-forest purpose attracting the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Mullaperiyar Dam:

• The Mullaperiyar Dam or Mullaiperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River in the Indian state of Kerala.
• It is located 881 m (2,890 ft) above mean sea level, on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in Thekkady, Idukki District of Kerala, South India.