The Assam government has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that construction of a commando camp on 44 hectares of protected forest land in Hailakandi district has been halted following intervention by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The development comes after the MoEF&CC raised concerns about the legality of the project, citing potential violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
An inspection report by the Ministry's regional office in Shillong concluded that the construction contravened the Act and directed the state government to cease work on March 18th, 2024.
The NGT had initiated suo motu proceedings in March based on a petition filed by the Tribunal itself and a separate intervention application submitted by an Assam resident.
Both applications raised concerns regarding the legality of clearing protected forest land for the construction of the 2nd Assam Commando Battalion Unit Headquarters.
Appearing before the NGT's principal bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal, and expert member Senthil Vel, Assam Advocate-General Devajit Saikia confirmed the stoppage of construction and apprised the Tribunal that the state government had sought permission from the MoEF&CC for the project.
Saikia requested additional time to respond to an affidavit filed by the MoEF&CC which stated that non-forestry activity was undertaken on the forest land without requisite permissions.
The NGT granted the Assam government four weeks to file its response while taking the Ministry's findings on record.
The Tribunal bench expressed serious reservations about the project, noting, "It clearly reflects construction was done in utter violation of norms."
The MoEF&CC affidavit further revealed that its Shillong office had conducted a site inspection to investigate alleged violations of the Forest Conservation Act.
Read:Assam govt in hot water after NGT warns against 'illegal' forest clearing for commando base
The inspection resulted in the aforementioned conclusion and directive to halt construction. The Ministry additionally requested its regional office to initiate action against the violations.
Earlier in March, the NGT had issued a stern warning to the Assam government, cautioning against any unauthorised construction on the disputed land during the pendency of the case.
Google Earth imagery obtained by the Tribunal reportedly showed substantial concrete structures being built on the site following the clearing of reserve forest land and hill cutting activities.
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