REGIONAL OFFICE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD OPP. SAINT ANNE'S CHURCH, STATION ROAD, JUNAGADH· 362 001. PHONE NO 0285·2651504, 2651506, FAX NO 0285·2661503 WEBSITE: WWW.GPCB.GOV.IN

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It is hereby informed that as per the··Mfn'istry of Environment and ;orests, Government of , Ne..,:, Delhi vide its notificati~ no. S. 0. 1533 dated vrf09/2006, Public Hearing was fixed for the following project covered under Category A, Mis Usha Breco Ltd. for Pro~sed Aerial Ropeway Project at Mount Girnar, . & Di st.: Junagadh as mentioned in their request application. (

A copy of the draft knvironrr;ent Impact Assessment Report and the Summary Environment Impact Assessment Report we~t to th<;' following authorities or offices to make available the draft EIA Report for the inspection to the public during normal office hours, till the Public Hearing is over: I I. The Districlcollect ffice, Junagadh 2. Office of District evelopment Officer, Junagadh 3. District lndustr' s Centre, Junagadh 4. The Chief Con rvator of Forests, MiniStfY ofEnvironffient & Fcfre~ts, Govt. Of India, Regional Office (West Zone), Kendriya Paryavaran Bhavan, E - 5, Area Colony, Link Road - 3, Ravishankar Col?ny, BHOPAL - 462 016 . 5. Regional Office, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Opp. Saint Anne's Church, Station Road, Junagadh· 362 001. Other concerned persons having plausible stake in the environmental aspects were requested to send their response in writing to the concerned regulatory authorities. They were requested to send their comments to the regulatory authorities as under: Central Government in Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. Of India, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi- 110 003 as the matter falls under Category A of Schedule of the aforesaid notification.

The Public Hearing was scheduled on date 03/06/2009 at 12:00 hours at Auditorium Hall, Junagadh Agriculture University, Gate No. 2, Moti Baugh Road, Tai. Junagadh, Dist: Junag~dh.

An advertisement in English was published in "Indian Express" dated 30/04/2009 and in Gujarati in "Divya Bhaskar" dated 30/04/2009.

Shri R.R. Damor GAS• Additional District Magistrate, Junagadh as representative of District Magistrate, Junagadh supervised and presided over the entire public hearing process.

A statement showing participants present during the Public H~aring is enclosed herewith as Annexure A.

A statement showing salient points highlighting issues raised by the participants and responded by the representative of the applicant during the Public Hearing in English and Gujarati Languages is enclosed herewith as Annexure Band Bl.Replies submitted by the applicants in connection with responses received in writing from local affected persons are enclosed as Annexure B-A-1 to B-A-5. The copies of responses received in writing from other persons having plausible stake in environmental aspects and the replies by the applicants to the same are enclosed herewith as Annexure C-Q-1 to C-Q-5 & C-A·l toC-A-5. ~ (~' (R.R. Jh~AS) Regional Officer, Additional District GPCD, Junagadh Magistrate, Junagadh as as representative of the representative of District Member Secretary, GPCB. Magistrate, Junagadh Venue Auditorium Hall, District: Junagadh Date 03/06/2009

Encl.: 1. Annexures A, B, Bl, B-A-1 to B·A·5 and C-Q·l to C-Q-5 & C-A-1 to C-A-5 as above. 2. Video CD of Public Hearing. ANNEXURE - B (ENGLISH)

As per the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi vide its notification no. S. 0. 1533 dated ! 4/09/2006, Public Hearing is fixed for the following project covered under Category A, Mis Usha Breco Ltd. for proposed Aerial Ropeway Project at Mount Gimar, Ta: Junagadh, Dist: Junagadh on 3rd June, 2009 at 12:00 hrs. at Auditorium Hall, Junagadh Agricultural University, Gate No. 2, Motibaugh Road, Tai.: Junagadh, Dist: Junagadh.

Shri G.M.Sadhu, Regional Officer, GPCB, Junagadh and representative of the Member Secretary, GPCB, panel member of public hearing committee welcomed all present to the Public Hearing. He outlined the various provisions of the Notification. He explained about the background of the environmental clearance required for the project proponent, actions taken by GPCB for vide publicity of this public hearing including advertisement given earlier in the local dailies and opportunity of Public Hearing being provided to the affected people residing around project site as per aforesaid notification published by MOEF, Government of India. He then opened the Public Hearing after due permission from the Shri R.R. Damor GAS (ADM, Junagadh and representative of District Magistrate, Junagadh). He invited the Project proponent to give their introduction and to make presentation about their project. He also mentioned that after the presentation, the forum would be open to the concerns of the locally affected people of the area for their views, suggestions and objections if any.

Mis. Usha Breco Ltd. made presentation in covering introduction of the company, technical information, details of proposed project, its impact on Environment, Safety measures, proposed Environmental Management plan including proposed mitigation measures.

After the presentation by project proponent with permission of Shri R.R. Damor GAS (ADM, Junagadh and representative of District Magistrate, Junagadh), Shri G.M.Sadhu, Regional Officer, GPCB opened the forum for representations and suggestions from the locally affected people.

The statement showing issues raised by the participants during Public Hearing are as under:

Sr. Name and Position Points represented No.

1. Shri Bharti Bapu, • He welcomed project from Saint Community and said (Maha Mandeshwar, Bharti that they are waiting for the project for long time. He Ashram, Junagadh) also ensured his support and best wishes to the project saying that project is beneficial to all human being. 2. Shri Narsinh Bhai Padhiyar, • He welcomed the project saying that people of all (Seniour leader and Ex Regional community also welcome project and said that project Secretary of Gujarat BJP, Junagadh) should get complete as early as possible. In addition he also informed that administration should follow decision given by Honorable High Court to see that "Doliwalas" do not become unemployed. He also submitted written representation (Annexure B-1). 3. Shri Bhurebhai Des< i, • He welcomed the project and said that project is very (Secretary Chamber ~f Commerce, essential for development of Junagadh. He also Junagadh) submitted written representation (Annexure B-2). 4 Shri Pradeep Khimani, • He welcomed project and said that in the history of (Member, Standing Committee, India, this is the first project which got full support BJP, Junagadh) from everybody during the public hearing. Written representation earlier received from him (Annexure B-3)

Page 1of5 -----,------r~-r Name and Position Points represented I No. I ! I -- 5 Shri Nirbhaybhai Purohit • He welcomed the project by saying that there is no (Junagadh) industry in Junagadh and he informed that development I of Junagadh is due to 35 lacs pilgrims visiting every I year and more pilgrims will come to Junagadh due to ! I implementation of this project which will help to reduce j unemployment. j I He also submitted written representation (Annexure B-4-l 6 Shri Dolarbhai shah • He welcomed the project and said that this public (Advocate, Junagadh) hearing is for discussions of an impact on environment due to the project, as per his opinion by scientific way .. due to the project there will be more rain in this area which in tum will help the environment. I 7 Dr. B. K. Kikani • He welcomed the project and said that pollution created (Ex. Chancellor as byproduct of mankind's comfort, peace and Junagadh Agricultural University) prosperity. This project is like backbone of the state for development. He demanded for immediate implementation of the project. 8 Smt. Jyotiben Vachhani • She welcomed the project and said that she is waiting (Mayor, Junagadh Mahanagar Seva for this project since long time and demanded early start Sadan) of the project. She also submitted written representation (Annexure B-5). 9 Shri Hemantbhai Nanavati • He welcomed the project and said that this is a golden (Managing Trustee opportunity of development not only for Junagadh but Rupayatan Sanstha, Bhavnath) also for the state of Gujarat, so do not stop the project by talking about pollution issues. 10 Shri Karsanbhai Dhaduk • He welcomed the project and said that due to this (President, Junagadh City BJP) project pollution will be reduced on the route of Gimar and people will smoothly visit religious place. He also submitted letter (Annexure B-6). 11 Shri Rabari Karman bhai Katara • He welcomed the project and ·said that development (Dy. Mayor, Junagadh) will take place due to this project and aged people will get benefit of this project. He also submitted written representation (Annexure B-7). 12 Shri Anudanbhai Gadhvi • He welcomed the project and said that journey of (Folk Literature Artist, Junagadh) religious place will be easy by this project. He also submitted written representation (Annexure B-8) 13 Shri Mukeshbhai Dholakia • He welcomed the project and said that project must (Corporator, Junagadh) complete as early as possible. 14 Shri Chunibhai Lodhiya • He welcomed the project and said that this project is in discussions since 1973 and also said that due to coming of this project Junagadh district will be developed. 15 Shri Vinubhai Amipara • He welcomed the project and said that approach road (President, District Youth Congress) from highway to lower station is very congested so he requested to construct 2- lane road. He also submitted written representation (Annexure B-9). 16 Shri Vinodbhai Taank • He informed that he is welcoming the project for (Junagadh) development of Junagadh but said that there was an accident in a ropeway of this company at Pavagadh in a year 2003, in that accident his brother in-law, his wife and children were injured. Due to this iniurv he was Page 2 of 5

10 ~Sr.-r-Name and Position Points represented -1 I No. I I r- I -1 unable to do any wo

decision given by Honorable High Court. He again welcomed the project and gives his best wishes to develop this region in tourism sector.

Moreover, written representations were received related to the project from person/ representatives of the organiza,ions present in the forum during public hearing process (attached as Annexure B-18 and Annexure B-19) and total 121 written representations were received from different organizations, associations, mandals, educational/religious organizations and well known personalities etc in the support of the project (attached as Annexure B-20 to Annexure B-129).

Shri G.M.Sadhu, Regional officer GPCB asked project proponent to reply the suggestions and representations raised during public hearing. Mr. Deepak Kaplish representative of project proponent replied as follows. He further informed that written representations those received today will be replied in writing today.

1. Company has implemented advanced safety measures after an accident happened in year 2003. Since then, company has got permission to restart the Rope way operation at Pavagadh. Compensation was already given to affected people. Moreover final order given by Consumer court will be honored. 2. In reply of question about "Doliwala", he informed that present pilgrim route will not be closed. Company will follow proceeding of meeting under chairmanship of District Collector Junagadh as per Honorable High Court order, for the proposed unemployment problem of"Doliwala". 3. They will separately collect waste as per Municipal Solid Waste Rules at Upper and Lower station of Rope way for disposal and waste will be finally disposed of as per rules and regulation of Junagadh Mahanagar Seva Sadan. 4. Company has applied for Wildlife clearance from widelife department. This clearance will be issued only after considering issues related to Wildlife including vultures. Project will get Environmental clearance only after getting wildlife clearance and than after execution work of the proposed project can be started.

Sbri G.M.Sadhu Regional Officer GPCB and representative of Member Secretary informed that above mention wntten representation and representations received from other persons having plausible stake in environmental aspect before and during public hearing along with the reply from the project proponent would be included in the proceedings.

Than after, Sbri G.M.Sadhu suggested that company should make compensation policy which compensates the victim an equivalent or more amount given by Railway or other Public Transport system in case of any accidents and necessary insurance should be obtain by project proponent accordingly.

Sbri R.R. Damor (ADM, JW1agadh and representative of District Magistrate, Junagadh) stated that company should follow all the promises given for protection of Environment.

The Public Hearing was concluded with thanks to the Chair. ~· (R.R~ Regional Officer, GPCB, Junagadh as (ADM, Junagadh and representative of representative of the Member Secretary, District Magistrate, Junagadh) GPCB.

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