Uttarakhand wildlife faces threat from alleged illegal construction, NGT steps in

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered the formation of a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal road construction in the Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve, located in the Budh-Pangot area of Nainital, Uttarakhand. Local hotel owners allegedly carried out the construction with the support of the forest department, involving the cutting of reserve forest land on the slanting hills.

Committee probes forest construction, alleges violations

The forest department supported the execution of this construction, which began in 2017 and continued until December 2022, and the committee will investigate the claims. This act is purportedly in violation of the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change dated March 28, 2019.

The court noted that the allegations raised substantial questions related to environmental laws and the environment itself.

The National Green Tribunal, acknowledging the potential violations of environmental laws and the significant environmental concerns raised in the application, deemed it necessary to create a committee to investigate the matter further.

The committee will consist of the Wildlife Warden of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEP&PCB), and the District Magistrate of Nainital, who will also serve as the nodal agency for coordination and compliance.

The committee will visit the site where they allege the road was constructed to assess the land's characteristics. They will also gather data regarding any trees cut during the road's construction and evaluate the environmental damage caused by the project.

The committee will be responsible for suggesting remedial actions for restoration and, crucially, disclosing the names and full addresses of the hotel owners and individuals who are responsible for the road's construction.

Officials visit site to assess land

The wildlife warden of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board, and the district magistrate of Nainital are visiting the site to assess the land where the road has been constructed.

The committee will also gather details of any trees felled during the construction process and assess the extent of environmental damage caused.

The allegations of encroachment and environmental violations have raised concerns about the protection and preservation of this pristine conservation area in the Nainital region.

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