Assam govt faces allegations of defying Environment ministry and misleading NGT

Guwahati: The Assam government is facing accusations of defying an order from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to halt construction of a new Commando Battalion headquarters on protected forest land in Hailakandi district.

The Assam government also allegedly misled the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by stating it had stopped construction within the inner line reserve forest at Damchera. However, recent images show construction activity ongoing.

On March 18, 2024, the MoEF&CC directed the Assam forest department to halt construction. A letter to the state's Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) cited a violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, due to the lack of central government approval for using forest land for non-forestry activities.

This directive followed the NGT taking suo motu cognizance of the issue based on a December 2023 news report in Northeast Now alleging the project bypassed legal requirements.

On April 23rd, 2024, Assam Advocate General Devajit Saikia informed the NGT that construction had stopped and requested additional time to file a response.

Evidence Suggests Otherwise

However, images captured on May 1, 2024, show construction continuing at Damchera. Locals also claim construction activity is underway, even on May Day, a national holiday.

"Construction continues day out and day in," said a local on phone.

The MoEF&CC has recently directed action against Assam's former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), MK Yadava, for allegedly allowing the use of forest land without central government approval.

The Environment Ministry's investigation began in February 2024 after the NGT took up the case based on a news report published in Northeast Now in December 2023alleging Yadava bypassed mandatory procedures under the Forest (Conservation) Act for the project within the protected forest.