Constitution of monitoring committee on the environmental impact issues of Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project
Government of India has recently approved the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project which will link the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal by dredging of a shipping channel through Palk Strait and Palk Bay. Since the Project involves dredging and setting up of other facilities through an eco-sensitive zone, the Ministry of Shipping has constituted a Monitoring Committee to assess the impact of environment and advise the project authorities. The Committee consists of renowned marine biologists and micro biologists besides experts from the fields of fisheries, agriculture etc. The Committee will be chaired by Dr. S. Kannaiyan, Chairman, National Bio-Diversity Authority, Chennai and will have Prof. Dileep K. Biswas, former Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi, Prof. S. Ramachandran, Director, Institute of Ocean Development, Anna University, Chennai, Prof. M. Naganathan, Professor & Head of Department of Economics, University of Madras, Chennai, Dr. Alfred, Director, Zoological Survey of India, Dr. M. Sakthivel, President, Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai, Dr. V. Palanippan, Centre for Ecology & Research, Thanjavur (N.G.O.), Mr. S.C. Sharma, former Additional DG (Wildlife), Ministry of Environment & Forests, as Members. In addition, representatives from Coast Guard and Government of Tamil Nadu have also been included. Sethusamudram Corporation Limited will be the Convenor of the Committee.
The Committee will meet as frequently as necessary and submit reports to project authorities and Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways on monthly basis.
Besides, the Monitoring Committee, the Ministry is also constituting monitoring mechanism to monitor the physical and financial progress of Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project on regular basis as the level of Secretary (Shipping) and by Thiru T.R. Baalu, Hon’ble Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways to ensure timely completion of the project.
RS/BY/NSR
(Release ID :10111)