Polling stations constructed in wildlife sanctuary: NGT seeks Assam govt’s reply
The Hindu
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Assam’s Chief Secretary to provide details of officers who let polling stations, schools, and other construction activities in a wildlife sanctuary and a reserve forest in gross violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Assam’s Chief Secretary to provide details of officers who let polling stations, schools, and other construction activities in a wildlife sanctuary and a reserve forest in gross violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
In an affidavit filed in April, the State government said several schools, a tea garden, a 5-km road, and wells were found to have been built in the Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjoining Charduar Reserve forest apart from polling stations under the Dhekiajuli, Rangapara, and Sootea Assembly constituencies.
The sanctuary – its official area is 220 sq. km – and the reserve forest are in northern-central Assam’s Sonitpur district. The Assembly segments are under the Sonitpur Lok Sabha constituency where elections were held in the first phase on April 19.
Seeking a response from the State government, the NGT said in its order: “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 order was passed on May 2 by the NGT’s judicial member, Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and expert member Arun Kumar Verma. It was based on an application by Dilip Nath, a member of an environment group called Aranya Suraksha Samiti, in 2023 alleging large-scale construction activities by the government and encroachers of the protected areas.
Outlining the construction activities in its April affidavit, the Assam government said the local forest authorities registered a first information report (FIR) against the management committees of the schools built inside the protected areas.
Government projects
Madurai's ancient trade routes and global connections revealed through historical evidence, presented by R. Poongundran at a research seminar.
Communist Party leader Muneer Katipalla was chosen unopposed as the secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Dakshina Kannada district unit in the recently concluded district meet in Mangaluru.
Jharkhand reaffirms faith in INDIA alliance with pro-people governance, as Telangana Deputy CM expresses gratitude for historic mandate.
NDA sweeps Bihar bypolls with 52.83% voter turnout, defeating opposition parties, including Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party.
Stakeholders in Mysuru propose long-term development plans, emphasizing heritage preservation, urban planning, and industrial growth.
Supreme Court judge emphasises the need for improved infrastructure in district judiciary for efficient justice delivery system.
Discussion on forming 'Greater Mysuru City Corporation' for integrated development and improved civic amenities in Mysuru.
Yadgir district's education sector challenges discussed in Karnataka Development Programme meeting, highlighting issues and proposed solutions.
IIT-Hyderabad Runners' Club will organise a grand half marathon on December 1, with multiple categories for all levels.
Collector Sridhar Cherukuri engages with public during 'Palle Nidra' initiative, interacts with school, village secretariat, and SHG members.
“Kaavi Kale is a method-based art without rigid forms, allowing for diverse artistic influences,” said Janardhan Rao Havanje, an artist and researcher in Kaavi Kale on Friday.