Environment Protection Act controversy: Karnataka High Court asks NHAI to donate Rs 2.5 lakh each to two organizations

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to donate Rs 2.5 lakh each to two environmental organisations in the wake of its controversial affidavit filed in a matter..Last week, the Court had urged the NHAI to donate a "substantial" amount of money to any environmental organization so as to make amends for suggesting in its statement of objections that the Environment Protection Act was enacted by Parliament at the instance of foreign powers..The Bench had said that it would consider the application filed by NHAI seeking to withdraw the objectionable statement of objections, only after the donation was made..When the matter came up for hearing today, a Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice SS Magadum was apprised by Senior Advocate Udaya Holla, appearing for NHAI, that it had shortlisted two such organizations based in Dehradun. .The two organizations are Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and Research and the Wildlife Institute of India..Holla further asked the Court as to which organisation the money should be donated to. Hearing this, the Court asked NHAI on how much it was planning to contribute. ."5 lakhs, milord", said Holla in response. .Noting that both organisations are government-based and therefore, credible, the Court proceeded to ask NHAI to donate 2.5 lakh each to both organizations. .Following the payment of the donation, the Court will consider allowing the withdrawal of the affidavit filed by NHAI..NHAI's statement of objections was filed in a PIL by NGO United Conservation Movement Charitable and Welfare Trust challenging an order issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2013 granting exemption for the expansion of National Highways greater than 100 kms without conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).."The Act was passed by the Parliament not only for protection of environment but also at the instance of foreign powers. And many NGOs are filing such writ petitions at the instance of foreign powers," the NHAI affidavit had said..The allegations in the affidavit were not limited to the petitioner in the present case, but it also targeted other NGOs. The NHAI had stated in its January 4 affidavit,"Many organisations in India calling themselves Environmental Action Groups such as Amnesty International etc are actively involved in attacking development projects and challenging government policies and notifications and doing anti-national activities. There are many NGOs receiving funds from foreign sources and church funds in contravention of laws.".Chief Justice Oka, who was heading the Bench hearing the matter, had said on January 11 that he had, in his 17 years as High Court judge, never come across such obnoxious arguments by a government agency..The matter has been adjourned to next week.