The Western Ghats is distinct for its inter-woven network of protected, reserved and community conserved forest areas comprising wildlife corridors spanning long distances, cutting across boundaries that segment it into states. The area has for long been, under constant pressure from unplanned and unrestrained "developmental activities" like mining, thermal power plants, industries, commercial tourism and construction projects, notwithstanding the fragility of its ecosystem.

The National Green Tribunal has put on hold the Bhadreshwar thermal power plant at Mundra in Gujarat. It has asked the project proponent, OPG Power Gujarat Pvt Ltd, to stop all works at its 300 MW power plant till it gets the requisite environmental clearance.

"We have no hesitation to hold that until OPG Power Gujarat Pvt Ltd obtains clearance to use reserve forest land and clearance from the Coastal Regulation Zone Authorities, it cannot go ahead with the project," said a bench comprising chairperson A S Naidu and Vijai Sharma on February 14.

Environment ministry granted clearance even though mandatory public consultations were not held The National Green Tribunal has suspended the environment clearance granted to the sponge iron plant of Scania Steel and Power Ltd in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had granted environment clearance to the project in 2008 even though the mandatory public hearing was not held for it.