India’s Neutrino Observatory Gets Environmental Nod From Centre, Now Up To Tamil Nadu To Do So

The proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) has finally got a green signal from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), reports The Hindu. MOEF’s Special Appraisal Committee for Infrastructure granted the permission as a special case but made it clear that it would still require a thumbs up from the Wild Life Boards and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

Environmental clearance was given for the project in 2011, but was quashed by the judiciary. The MoEF panel in the current round was informed that there would be no scope for radioactivity, leaching of water or any adverse affect to forest life.

The project would require wild life clearances because the Mathikettan Shola National Park in Idukki, Kerala is barely five km from the proposed site for the INO.

An NGO called Poovulagin Nabargal however slammed the decision to give clearance to the project.