Assam govt faces NGT heat for schools, roads built in Sonai-Rupai wildlife sanctuary

Guwahati: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Assam forest department for failing to adequately address allegations of large-scale construction within Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and Chariduar Reserve Forest in Sonitpur district.

The Eastern Zone (Kolkata) bench of the NGT on Wednesday (July 3) rejected an affidavit submitted by the Assam forest department and demanded a more comprehensive response within a week.

The affidavit was filed in response to a 2023 petition by RTI activist Dilip Nath, who accused the government of violating the Forest (Conservation) Act.

Nath's petition alleged that the Assam government had violated the Forest (Conservation) Act by permitting large-scale construction within the protected forests. The NGT had previously directed the state government to provide details regarding the eviction of encroachers.

An order issued by the NGT on May 2, 2023, directed the Assam Chief Secretary to file an affidavit identifying the officials who authorized construction activities that clearly violated the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980.

The affidavit submitted on July 3 failed to satisfy the tribunal. The NGT emphasized that the construction constitutes a serious breach of the Forest Act and held the government accountable for its lack of action on evicting encroachers.

The tribunal further questioned the inaction of senior forest officials, particularly the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest (HoFF) MK Yadav, who allegedly allowed these unauthorized activities to occur since 2017.

The NGT also noted the concerning presence of 38 schools already established within the wildlife sanctuary, along with the construction of paved roads.

RTI activist Nath additionally alleged that the government allocated forest land to over 1300 families, despite clear indications of encroachment in their applications. He argued that this politically motivated move violated the Forest Act, which restricts land rights to those who have resided in forest areas for at least 75 years.

In response to these allegations, the NGT has directed the Assam Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report within one week, including photographs and eviction plans. The tribunal will hear the case again on August 21, 2024.

Sprawling across 220 square kilometers in the Himalayan foothills, near Assam's border with Arunachal Pradesh, lies Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary (SRWS).

This haven for wildlife is home to a diverse range of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including tigers, elephants, hornbills, pelicans, and pythons. Neighboring the sanctuary is Chariduar Reserve Forest (CRF).