**NGT Orders Halt on Construction and Expansion of Pachmarhi Airstrip Without Environmental Clearances**
*Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh):* The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday ruled that no construction or expansion activities at the Pachmarhi airstrip site—located within the eco-sensitive zone—shall be permitted to continue or restart without obtaining proper permissions related to Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) wildlife and environmental clearances, as well as industrial categorisation.
This directive came following a petition filed by Captain (Retd. Pilot) Brijesh Kumar Bharadwaj of Chhindwara, who raised concerns over the proposed expansion of the non-functional Pachmarhi airstrip.
According to the industry categorisation notification issued by the State of Madhya Pradesh, under Sr No 23 and Sr No 18, airports and commercial airstrips fall under the ‘red category.’ Consequently, project proponents are required to obtain Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the competent authority. In this case, these consents have not been secured, leading to a violation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notifications.
The NGT has directed the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) to finalize a standard operating procedure in consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. Additionally, MPPCB is tasked with conducting an environmental damage assessment study through reputed institutes such as IITs, NITs, or NEERI, and to ensure the implementation of their recommendations.
Pachmarhi airstrip is situated inside the buffer zone of a protected area. Therefore, the project proponent must obtain the necessary clearances from the National Board for Wildlife, in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Local Forest Department.
Pachmarhi serves as a critical habitat for tigers and endangered vulture populations. Consequently, the project proponent is directed to undertake detailed studies assessing the impact of flight operations within the ESZ on terrestrial wildlife and avian fauna before moving forward with the project.
Finally, the NGT order suggested that the State of Madhya Pradesh explore alternative sites outside the protected area for the proposed commercial airstrip, to avoid environmental harm.
—
*This order underscores the importance of environmental clearances and wildlife protection in development projects within eco-sensitive zones.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/pachmarhi-airstripe-no-construction-or-expansion-without-wildlife-environmental-clearance-says-ngt
