Netravati riverfront project

• The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has initiated action on the Netravati Waterfront Promenade Development Project in Mangalore.

KEY POINTS

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has acknowledged the importance of the environmental and social issues related to the project and has taken action by forming a committee to investigate and provide a thorough report.
• The concerns raised by the local chapter of the National Environmental Conservation Foundation (NECF) regarding the impact of the project on the community have been taken into consideration.
• The project has been criticised for its potential negative effects on the environment and the livelihoods of the local population.

ABOUT

• The Netravati Riverfront Project is a remarkable urban development project which to a great extent is not solely focused on developing the ecological and the recreational aspects of the river but on enhancing the entire surrounding.
• The implementation of this project mostly involves the execution of different components including beautification of the river banks, construction of pedestrian and cycling trails, establishment of recreational centres, expense on improvement of leisure infrastructure to boost tourism and water activities.

NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL

• It has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.