The National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) eastern bench in Kolkata has recently intervened in road construction activities within the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Assam’s Cachar district. This decision stems from allegations that the construction was conducted without the necessary permissions as mandated under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam 1980.
Allegations Against M K Yadava
The plea submitted to the NGT claims that M K Yadava, the Special Secretary for Forests, authorized the diversion of forest land without the required approvals. This case adds to the list of accusations against Yadava concerning violations of forest laws.
Earlier in the year, the Ministry of Environment found that Yadava’s approval for a commando battalion camp on forest land in the Hailakandi district was also against forest conservation regulations.
NGT’s Interim Order
The NGT issued an interim order stating that construction within the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary cannot proceed without the sanction from the Central Government as specified under Section 2 of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The order was pronounced by a bench comprising Justice B Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma on September 20. The bench has requested counter-affidavits from the Assam Government, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and Yadava within a four-week timeframe.
Concerns About Environmental Hazards
The NGT highlighted that the ongoing construction of the road is allegedly occurring without the Central Government’s approval, posing environmental risks to the sanctuary. The plea not only seeks to halt all illegal constructions, including the road to Bhuban Hill, but also requests a site inspection to evaluate the damage caused to 15 hectares of forest land.
Activist’s Complaint
Rohit Choudhury, an activist from Assam, has raised concerns with the environment ministry regarding the extensive hill-cutting and earthwork involved in constructing the road to Bhuban Hill. He noted that the road features milestones, road signs erected by the Public Works Department (PWD), cement concrete side-drains, paver-block surfaces, and fenders at road bends.
Yadava Under Scrutiny
M K Yadava faces scrutiny for previously allowing construction on forest land in two separate cases in Hailakandi and Sibasagar districts. The principal bench of the NGT is currently reviewing the Hailakandi case, which involves the construction of a police commando battalion on 11 hectares of forest land.
The environment ministry’s regional office in Shillong has found the construction in Hailakandi to be in violation of forest conservation laws and has issued a showcause notice to Yadava, requesting an explanation for the alleged offense.
In the Sibasagar case, the NGT’s eastern bench has sought information regarding the actions taken by the Central Government against Yadava for permitting the use of 28 hectares of land in the Geleky forest for another commando camp.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What recent action did the NGT take regarding the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary?
A. Allowed construction work to continue
B. Ordered a stay on road construction work
C. Approved the road construction
D. Requested a public inspection
Answer: B. Ordered a stay on road construction work
2. Who is the Special Secretary for Forests mentioned in the allegations?
A. Bhupender Yadav
B. Arun Kumar Verma
C. M K Yadava
D. Justice B Amit Sthalekar
Answer: C. M K Yadava
3. What was the basis for the NGT’s interim order?
A. Community support for the road
B. Lack of necessary permissions under forest laws
C. Approval from the Central Government
D. Recommendations from local authorities
Answer: B. Lack of necessary permissions under forest laws
4. How much forest land is involved in the construction case in Hailakandi?
A. 15 hectares
B. 28 hectares
C. 11 hectares
D. 5 hectares
Answer: C. 11 hectares
5. What did activist Rohit Choudhury complain about regarding the road construction?
A. Lack of funding
B. Violation of local laws
C. Extensive hill-cutting and earthwork
D. Excessive cost of construction
Answer: C. Extensive hill-cutting and earthwork