Tamil Nadu: Stop expansion at Vedanthangal sanctuary, NGT tells Sun Pharma

CHENNAI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed Sun Pharma not to proceed with expansion work inside Vedanthangal bird sanctuary till the next hearing of the case on July 12.
The company and all other government agencies involved are directed to submit their replies before July 12. The Centre had earlier granted clearance to the company for expanding its active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing unit at Rs 202.36 crore.
K R Selvaraj Kumar from a local fishermen’s welfare association filed an appeal with the NGT Southern Zone saying the existing green law didn’t allow environment clearance (EC) for a ‘red’ category industry within 5km of a bird sanctuary.
The Expert Appraisal Committee had confirmed that toxic material would be used at the proposed expansion site, but granted the EC after advising Sun Pharma to store such raw material with utmost precaution. “EC cannot be granted on undertaking given by the project proponent particularly when it is storage of toxic and explosive material in a bird sanctuary area,” the NGT had earlier observed.