The Centre does not have unlimited powers to allow construction and mining in prohibited and regulated areas, the Supreme Court has ruled. The public interest must be the core factor for consideration of grant of permission for the construction activities within such areas, the court has said.

JORHAT, Jan 17 – Visiting the erosion-hit areas at Salmora, Majuli this afternoon, P K Bansal, Union Cabinet Minister of Water Resources and V H Pala, Minister of State for Water Resources, stated at a meeting held in the Majuli College playground near Daria Bridge that Majuli has enough potential to get recognition as a World Heritage Site from UNESCO. Bansal also said that the required nomination dossier for the recognition has already been submitted to the authority concerned.

Proximity Of Line To Heritage Structures Had Upset Conservationists
New Delhi: Even before work started on phase III of the Delhi Metro, the project could be heading for delay. The controversial heritage corridor, which will go from Janpath to Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and on to Kashmere Gate, looks set to miss its 2016 deadline as it awaits the green signal from the heritage body, National Monuments Authority.

A city-based NGO today urged Dispur not to allow construction at Urvasi island on the Brahmaputra.
The NGO, Citizens First, submitted a memorandum to chief secretary Naba Kumar Das, objecting to an application filed by Samir Damodar Ropeway Pvt Ltd, seeking permission for construction on the island to shore up the tilted pillars of the ropeway project over the Brahmaputra.

The NGO said any construction on the island would violate the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

SHILLONG, March 10

ASI Threatens To Inform Unesco If Line is Built Within 100m Of Protected Sites
New Delhi:Delhi Metro Rail Corporation

Initiating action to save the centuries-old Baijnath Temple from sinking due to illegal mining in its vicinity, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh has sought a detailed report from the state government.

The ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kangra district is built in the Nagara style of architecture and is dated to 1204 AD.