SC Seeks Centre’s Verification as Kerala Grants NoC for Tree-Felling

Quick Summary:

• Tamil Nadu Update: Tamil Nadu government informed the Supreme Court that Kerala has issued a no-objection certificate for felling trees near Mullaperiyar dam.
• Supreme Court Directive: A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant asked the central government to verify this information and consider granting environmental clearance within four weeks.
• Environmental Clearance Pending: union government’s approval remains awaited, though Kerala has provided state-level permission.
• Supervisory Committee Report: The court requested Tamil Nadu to evaluate concerns raised in the supervisory panel’s study before repair efforts proceed, pending additional permissions from Kerala for grouting works.
• Timeframe for Repairs: Repair operations are expected to take place after September or October, following the conclusion of the monsoon season.
• Background Context: The Mullaperiyar dam dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over maintenance and safety issues has remained contentious for decades. Earlier hearings included discussions on access roads and repairs.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The Supreme Court’s measured steps highlight its effort toward an equitable resolution of long-standing tensions between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaperiyar dam’s maintenance. By requiring verification from the central government regarding environmental clearance while emphasizing collaboration between states, it underscores India’s judicial approach toward resolving inter-state disputes through administrative precision rather than political expediency.

The directive to postpone repair activities until after monsoons aligns with practical concerns related to resource mobilization during adverse weather conditions. Notably, Kerala’s no-objection certificate signals progress in addressing disagreements around accessibility issues tied to tree felling near critical areas.However, pending federal clearance could test longstanding procedural bottlenecks seen in infrastructure-related cases.

While critically important advancements have been made through dialog under legal supervision as May 19’s prior directive, seamless execution will require effective cooperation among all parties involved-a challenge reflective of broader complexities prevalent in India’s inter-state governance mechanisms.Read More Link: Source