The project proponents are clear defaulters of compliance of the statutory provisions. They cannot take advantage of their own wrong of raising construction prior to submission of the application for Environmental Clearance and even grant of Environmental Clearance.
The respondent nos. 9 & 10 are intentional defaulters. They violated the law being fully conscious of their obligations under different laws in force. The authorities concerned had sanctioned the building plans of these respondents subject to a specific stipulation that such sanction was subject to grant of other clearances including Environmental Clearance under different laws.
Since the construction and allied activities were being carried on contrary to law, they even would be deemed to have caused pollution not only of the environment but more particularly of the lakes and caused obstructions of the Rajakaluves in the area.
Applying the Principle of ‘Polluter Pays’ as contemplated under Section 20 of the NGT Act, the project proponents must be held liable to pay compensation for restoration and restitution of the environmental pollution and degradation.
NGT Bench comments about the Environmental violations of Mantri & Coremind
