18 villages go against environment ministry to back Lavasa

Eighteen villages on which Lavasa Corporation is constructing its township have approached the Bombay high court in support of the project stating that it has helped generate employment for the villagers.

Two intervention applications have been filed by Association of 18 villages and office bearers of four gram punchayets on Tuesday which was allowed by the Bombay high court.

A division bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and justice RV More allowed the intervention applications while hearing the petition filed by the Lavasa Corporation, a subsidiary of Hindustan Construction Company, challenging the notice issued by the MoEF in November 2010— staying the construction for not obtaining mandatory environment clearances.

Pravin Samdani, counsel for the interveners, argued that they were supporting Lavasa as it had built infrastructure in the villages.

“We are supporting them for it is because of them that we have roads and other facilities in the villages. There is a life now,” said Samdani.

The villagers have further contended that they have voluntarily entered into agreement with Lavasa for the development of their lands.

“Lavasa is giving them facilities and livelihood,” said Samdani.

 Pleading that they (villagers) be heard before passing any order, Samdani said that they haven’t had any source of livelihood for the last eight months.

In November 2010, both Lavasa and MoEF agreed to maintain status quo till the Expert Appraisal Committee gave its final decision. The committee was appointed by the MoEF after Lavasa approached the high court. The committee will decide whether environmental clearance was taken by Lavasa Corporation and also whether there are any other violations.

The high court will hear the intervention applications on July 29 along with Lavasa’s petition.