MoEF extends moratorium on Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg projects

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has extended the moratorium imposed on projects in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra till December.

In a notification issued last week, MoEF advisor Nalini Bhat said the moratorium had been extended because the ministry had received the report of the Western Ghat Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) and it was now under consideration.

Last year, the ministry, under the then minister Jairam Ramesh, had imposed a moratorium till December 31, 2010, after locals complained about clearing power projects of over 33,000 Mw in these districts and other infrastructure projects such as ports and mining.

Both Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts fall in the range of Western Ghats. The WGEEP, headed by renowned environmentalist Madhav Gadgil, has prepared a detailed report, which would be a road map for this eco-sensitive habitat.

The moratorium was earlier extended till August 30, 2011, awaiting the report from the Gadgil Committee, which was submitted last month. Incidentally, the Jaitapur nuclear power project is also in the Ratnagiri district.