The Court instructed the state government to declare Deepor Beel a wildlife sanctuary with an eco-sensitive zone...
Digital Desk: In a significant development, the Gauhati High Court issued a stay order on Friday, effectively putting a halt to the Assam government's decision to denotify Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, the state's only Ramsar site. This decision by the Assam Cabinet, made on March 10, sought to withdraw the notification issued by the State Forest Department, thus removing Deepor Beel's protected status.
The challenge against this decision was spearheaded through an interlocutory application filed in the ongoing case titled "Pramod Kalita and two others Vs Union of India and 17 others." A bench led by Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi and Justice Suman Shyam issued the stay order, temporarily suspending the denotification process.
Earlier, on April 3, the Assam government was directed by the High Court to clarify through an affidavit whether any landfilling activities were underway within the Deepor Beel area. This move came in response to concerns raised by Pramod Kalita and others in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the protection of Deepor Beel, which included issues such as illegal construction and waste management.
The legal battle for Deepor Beel's conservation has been ongoing. In December 2023, the Court instructed the state government to declare Deepor Beel a wildlife sanctuary with an eco-sensitive zone by January 18, 2024. Initially, the state assured the court of complying with this directive, but their subsequent attempt to denotify the sanctuary contradicted these assurances.
This development follows closely after the Supreme Court's intervention in March 2024, which halted the Assam government's endeavor to denotify the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, home to a significant population of rhinos.
The Gauhati High Court's stay order underscores the importance of preserving Deepor Beel, not just as a vital habitat for diverse flora and fauna but also as a Ramsar site of international significance. It reflects the judiciary's commitment to upholding environmental conservation and ensuring the protection of vulnerable ecosystems against unilateral decisions that could jeopardize their ecological integrity.
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