National Green Tribunal seeks Assam govt’s response after schools, tea gardens discovered inside forest land

The NGT order emphasised the need for an explanation regarding the inaction of the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) who oversaw these illegal activities

Digital Desk: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has demanded an explanation from the Assam government regarding the extensive development found within the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary (SRWS) and Charduar Reserve Forest (CRF) in Sonitpur district. 

According to the affidavit submitted by the Assam government, numerous schools, a 5 km-long road, a tea garden, wells, and polling stations have been constructed within these protected forest areas, in clear violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.  

The NGT order emphasised the need for an explanation regarding the inaction of the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) who oversaw these illegal activities since 2017.  An individual had even started a tea garden within the CRF reserve forest, and a contractor was responsible for constructing a 5-km-long road inside the SRWS, in violation of wildlife and forest protection laws. 

“The affidavit must also explain the inaction of the principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) under whose very nose such illegal activities were allowed to go on since 2017,” the NGT order passed on May 2 by judicial member, Justice B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma, read, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.

This case is not an isolated incident, as the Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Ministry has also requested a report from the Assam government regarding the alleged illegal diversion of 22 hectares of land in the state's protected forests. The NGT is taking strict action to address these violations and hold the responsible authorities accountable.