The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha government not to undertake any permanent construction at the floodplain area of the Mahanadi, keeping in mind the reported threat to riverine ecosystem.
The NGT ordered the constitution of a seven-member committee comprising environmentalists to study the ecological and hydrological aspects and vulnerability of reclaiming the floodplains of the river and make detailed recommendations identifying the steps required for protecting the floodplain zone. The committee has been directed to submit its report within three months.
The tribunal asked both the applicant as well as the Odisha government to place their respective point of views before the committee. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) would be the nodal agency to carry out the entire exercise.
