DC Kathua holds public hearing for minor mining projects at Nagri Parole

Kathua: A public hearing was today organized for eliciting opinions, viewpoints and suggestions of the locals and other stakeholders for environmental clearance for minor mineral mining projects here at tehsil Nagri Parole.

The hearing was held for over three mining blocks, spread over a total area of 27.5 ha and situated at villages Jogian and Tangdev Pur in tehsil Nagri Parole in terms of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

The panel of public hearing was headed by Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Om Prakash. Regional Director Pollution Control Board, Jammu, Dr. Syed Nadeem Hussain; Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Board, Kathua Anil Sharma, and District Mineral Officer, Kathua were other members.

The Deputy Commissioner, in his address, assured the locals that their opinions would be put in writing and all the suggestions will be incorporated in the report to be sent to the concerned authority. He informed that the mining would be carried out on scientific lines and a separate fund for welfare of local area under CSR shall be earmarked on annual basis.

The Regional Director, JKPCB, informed that all the suggestions, viewpoints and objections of the speakers would be sent to the Environment Impact Assessment Authority for taking the final decision in the matter.

The Environmental consultant representing the project proponent gave detailed presentation on the project.

The public representatives’ viz. DDC and BDC members, Panchs and Sarpanchs of the area presented their viewpoints and suggestions before the panel.

Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Kathua Devinder Paul was also present in the public hearing.