ONGC explores Park, gets away with just Rs 2 cr

The national park is home to the endangered Great Indian Bustard, and diversion of 24.5 hectare would mean disturbing their only habitat in the country.

ONGC had submitted a proposal for diversion of forest land for drilling and exploration and large stretches for constructing tracks for taking the rig to the drilling site. They earlier filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, requesting permission.

A committee was then sent for site inspection. The committee recommended that ONGC deposit Rs 5 crore in a specially created fund for conservation and management of the park. Also, the state government would declare adequate additional area to the park for rehabilitating the Great Indian Bustard.

The ONGC pleaded that the amount be reduced to Rs 1 crore. However, they had been permitted to proceed with exploratory work after depositing Rs 1 crore while the matter was to come up with the Board.

Today, in the presence of the PM, who is the Board chairman, most state representatives of the Board agreed that a PSU like ONGC should not have a problem paying Rs 5 crore. However, Baalu said ‘‘there has to be a balance between development and sustainability, and the need for development has to be kept in mind’’.