S UNNIKRISHNAN vs STATE OF KERAL

Page 1 of 3 Item No.05: BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL SOUTHERN ZONE, CHENNAI Monday, the 18th day of March, 2024. (Through Video Conference) Original Application No.142 of 2023 (SZ) IN THE MATTER OF: S.

Unnikrishnan General Secretary Thanalvedhi Reg.

No.1923/99 Perumkadavila P.O., Thiruvananthapuram District Kerala – 695 124. ...Applicant(s) Versus 1) Union of India Rep. by its Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi – 110 003.

2) Archaeological Survey of India Rep. by its Director General Dharohar Bhawan, 24, Tilak Marg, New Delhi – 110 001.

3) The Chairman Kerala State Pollution Control Board Head Office, Pattom P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695 004.

4) The Chairman State Environment Impact Assessment Authority KSRTC Bus Terminal Complex, 4th Floor, Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 001.

5) The District Collector Thiruvananthapuram District Civil Station, Kudappanankkunnu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695 001. ...Respondent(s) Page 2 of 3 For Applicant(s): None.

For Respondent(s): Mrs.

V.K.

Rema Smrithi for R3.

Ms.

Mokshavathy represented Mr.

G.

Prabhu for R4.

Mr.

Vignesh represented Mr.

E.K.

Kumaresan for R5.

CORAM: HON’BLE Smt.

JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE Dr.

SATYAGOPAL KORLAPATI, EXPERT MEMBER ORDER 1.

The prayer in the application is to take the required measures to protect the Pandavanpara of Perumkadavila Village, Neyyattinkara Taluk.

2.

The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi had constituted a Joint Committee, based on which, the report has also been filed after inspection.

3.

In the report of the Joint Committee, it is stated that the joint inspection was done on 23.08.2022 and the ‘Pandavanpara’, a hillock of great historic and mythological significance is located in Neyyattinkara of Thiruvananthapuram District.

The Department of Archaeology had taken the initiative to protect the 3. ect the 3.15 Acres of land surrounding the place, including the Pandavanpara.

There seems to be earlier mining done on the site.

However, during the present inspection, the team could not find any evidence of environmental damage and the area is monitored by the Police and entry for the public is also restricted.

The nearest activity is said to be approximately 550 Meters away from the buffer zone of the site and there is an abandoned quarry existing 110 Meters beyond the buffer zone.

The Kerala State Pollution Control Board also has not granted any clearance for mining in the said location.

4.

Similarly, the Deputy Collector (LR), Thiruvananthapuram has filed its report dated 19.12.2023 which also mentions about the constitution of the Joint Committee, Page 3 of 3 their inspection and its report.

It was stated that the very same letter petitioner viz., S.

Unnikrishnan has filed W.P. (C) No.25651 of 2017 before the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala, in which, the respondents therein were directed to complete the survey process of land in Sy.

Nos.546/1 and 525/2 in Block 26 of Perumkadavila Village and Sy.

Nos.115/1, 115/7 in Block 38 Anavoor Village in Neyyattinkara Taluk.

It is further stated that the Tahsildar - Neyyattinkara Taluk had informed that the land in Re-Survey No.544/2 in Block 26 of Perumkadavila Village, including the Pandavanpara has been completely demarcated and fixed the boundaries within 500 Meters and the same has been physically ensured by the Department of Archaeology.

The Village Officer - Perumkadavila Village was directed to protect the demarcated boundaries and to take immediate follow-up in case of any encroachments.

5.

From the above reports of the Joint Committee as well as the Deputy Collector, it is learnt that already appropriate steps have been taken by the authorities and the said Pandavanpara is entrusted to the Department of Archaeology and due protection has been given.

6. given.

6.

Since the prayer of the applicant/letter petitioner has already been complied with, the Original Application [O.A.

No.142 of 2023 (SZ)] is closed, recording the above-referred reports.

Sd/- Smt.

Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, JM Sd/- Dr.

Satyagopal Korlapati, EM O.A.

No.142/2023(SZ) 18th March, 2024.

Mn.