Guwahati, 1st June: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has commenced an investigation into claims of unlawful diversion of 28 hectares of forest land in the Geleky Reserve Forest, Sivasagar district, for the creation of an Assam police commando battalion.
The Assam Forest Department stands accused of sanctioning this diversion without obtaining the necessary approvals, triggering substantial environmental concerns.
In an order dated May 29, the NGT’s eastern bench has issued notices to the Assam government, the Assam Forest Department, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the District Commissioner of Sivasagar, and the Divisional Forest Officer. This move follows an application by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, who alleges that MK Yadava, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force, approved the land’s use for non-forestry activities illegally.
A committee has been formed to investigate the matter, comprising senior officials from the MoEFCC, including the Additional Director General of Forests dealing with the Forest (Conservation) Act, an Additional Secretary nominated by the MoEFCC Secretary, and the Deputy Director General of Forests, Integrated Regional Office, Meghalaya. This committee will visit the site and submit a detailed report, with the Additional Director General of Forests serving as the nodal officer.
The NGT highlighted that this issue raises significant environmental concerns and potential violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, necessitating a comprehensive examination.
Petitioner Rohit Choudhury asserts that MK Yadava, now the Special Chief Secretary (Forests) for Assam, misused his authority to bypass legal requirements, including compensatory afforestation and payment of Net Present Value (NPV). These allegations suggest substantial procedural violations that could hold Yadava personally accountable for the environmental damage.
This investigation is part of a broader scrutiny of forest land use in Assam. The NGT’s New Delhi bench is already examining another case involving the alleged illegal diversion of 44 hectares of protected forest land for a similar commando battalion near the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi district. This previous diversion, also approved by Yadava during his tenure as PCCF, led to significant controversy and intervention by the Union environment ministry, which halted construction in March, citing violations of the Forest Conservation Amendment Act.
The Geleky Reserve Forest case is further complicated by the longstanding boundary dispute between Assam and Nagaland, historically resulting in violence and land encroachment issues. The establishment of the commando battalion was purportedly aimed at preventing such encroachments, underscoring the complex interplay between environmental conservation and regional security.
As the investigation continues, the NGT’s findings and subsequent actions will be crucial in addressing the environmental and legal implications of the alleged illegal land use.