Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 3: A panel headed by Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rahul Yadav today organized public hearing for eliciting opinions, viewpoints and suggestions of the locals and other stakeholders for environmental clearance of minor mineral mining project for Sahar Khad downstream.
The other members of panel included Divisional Officer, PCB Samba- North Sanjay Rathod and representative of Regional Director, J & K Pollution Control Board, Jammu; District Mineral Officer, Kathua Dr. Devinder Singh, and Divisional Officer, PCB Kathua Anil Sharma.
The public hearing was for a minor mineral mining project spread over an area of 6.16 hectare in block no. 2 (31) at Sahar Khad downstream, NH-1A Bridge, in terms of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006 of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India.
The Environmental consultant representing the project proponent gave a detailed presentation on the project and made the audience aware about the benefits of scientific mining and environmental safeguards to be adopted in implementation of the project.
The Deputy Commissioner, in his address, told the participating public that scientific mining will be done in proposed minor mineral projects taking care of all the environmental safeguards. The project will facilitate the availability of the minor minerals in the area.
Vice-Chairman, DDC Kathua Raghunandan Singh; President Municipal Council, Kathua Naresh Sharma; President Municipal Committee, Lakhanpur Ravinder Sharma; BDC Chairman Kathua Raghubir Singh, Sarpanhes and Panches of the area among who participated in the public hearing.