Industrialization should not hamper human lives by destroying the ecosystem: Orissa HC

Industrialization should not hamper human lives by destroying the ecosystem: Orissa HC

The Orissa High Court (HC) disposed of a public interest litigation petition (PIL) stating that there is a need for an equilibrium between the ecosystem and industrialization

A PIL was filed by members of the New Light Yubak Sangha, a club (petitioner) before the Orissa HC. The petition had assailed the allotment of 8 acres of forest land in Sodamal to a Waste Management Firm by the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). IDCO was allotted the land to lease it out for the establishment of industry in the area.

The allotment of land to IDCO was challenged by the petitioner as it was done without giving an opportunity of being heard to the villagers and other stakeholders. It was submitted by the petitioner that they had created new forest cover over the land with the help of the state forest department under the afforestation program.

The petitioner also contended that the lease of land to IDCO for the establishment of the industry had been strongly opposed by the villagers and by the club. That the establishment of the industry was cleared the District Single Window Clearance System without an opportunity for hearing being granted to the villagers however they opposed the same vigorously.

Hence, being aggrieved from the said decision, the petitioner filed a PIL before the HC. The matter was listed before a Bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Dr. BR Sarangi.

The HC observed that since the earlier proposals to lease land had been opposed, there was no justifiable reason to set up the industry on the land. It also said that if an industrial unit would set up then it would destroy the eco-system. All the more, the local people were not given an opportunity of being heard and they objected to the establishment of the industry.

The HC said, "No doubt industrialization is required for enhancement of revenue, but that does not mean at the cost of the lives of the human being by destroying eco-system."

The HC stated that as the petitioner's representation opposing the land allotment was pending with the District Collector (DC) concerned, the HC directed the DC to consider the representation and "pass a reasoned and speaking order by affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner vis-a-vis the private party and other affected persons if any". The PIL was disposed of by the HC.