Assam Government Halts Construction of Commando Camp in Protected Forest!

Assam Government Halts Construction of Commando Camp in Protected Forest Following Warning from New Delhi!

KAKALI DAS

The Assam government has brought construction to a standstill on a sprawling 44-hectare commando camp within a protected forest area, heeding a stern warning from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

The move comes after an inspection by the ministry revealed glaring violations of the Forest (Conservation) Act.

The project, aimed at establishing the 2nd Assam Commando Battalion Unit headquarters within the inner line of a reserved forest in Hailakandi district, sparked concern prompting the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to intervene. The National Green Tribunal took suo moto cognizance of the case following a news report alleging illegal clearing of protected forest land.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Sudhir Agarwal, extended a four-week deadline for the Assam government to respond to the ministry’s findings, emphasizing the severity of the violations.

In a recent hearing, the Assam advocate general revealed that there has been a halt to construction activities. He further communicated the state government’s plea to the union environment ministry, seeking its permission to proceed with the construction project.

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This plea was necessitated due to the stringent environmental regulations that must be adhered to before any construction activities can be initiated, particularly in sensitive ecological zones.

The advocate general’s dialogue with the tribunal indicates that the state government is making efforts to comply with these regulations and is not bypassing any legal requirements. The plea to the union environment ministry is a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to sustainable development and adherence to environmental norms.

However, upon investigation, the union environment ministry discovered a series of non-forestry activities being conducted without the requisite permissions. Non-forestry activities generally refer to any activities that can potentially lead to deforestation or degradation of forest lands. These activities require proper authorization as they may have a significant impact on the local ecology and biodiversity.

The ministry’s findings highlighted a serious breach of environmental regulations, prompting it to issue a directive for the immediate suspension of all work on the site. The directive was issued to ensure that no further non-forestry activities are carried out without the necessary clearance. This move serves as a stern reminder of the importance of preserving our environment and strictly adhering to environmental regulations.

The suspension will remain in effect until the concerns raised by the ministry are adequately addressed and necessary steps are taken to prevent any further violation of environmental norms. The repercussions of these findings will likely have a significant impact on the project’s timeline and could potentially result in legal and financial penalties for those involved.

Expressing grave reservations, the NGT bench emphasized the severity of the violation, highlighting that construction proceeded in blatant disregard of norms. The tribunal granted a four-week extension to the Assam government to respond to the ministry’s affidavit, which detailed the unauthorized activities on forest land.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has directed action against former Assam Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) MK Yadava for allowing the illegal use of forest land without prior approval.

The directive follows an investigation revealing large-scale construction activities within the Inner Line Reserve Forest, contradicting Yadava’s claims of temporary tents.

In a counter-affidavit submitted to the NGT, the Ministry disclosed the extensive nature of the construction, spanning concrete structures over 11.5 hectares, far exceeding permissible activities under forest conservation laws. The affidavit also raised alarming environmental concerns, citing the complete clearing of vegetation and leveling of the area, risking biodiversity loss.

Moreover, the affidavit documented environmental damage caused by the project, including soil dumping near a stream and the operation of a stone crushing unit, posing threats of water pollution and habitat destruction.

The Ministry’s orders underscore the gravity of the situation, with potential legal repercussions for officials responsible for the illegal diversion of forest land. Sections 3A and 3B of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam specify penalties, including imprisonment, for such violations.

Former PCCF MK Yadava’s assertion of no illegal diversion stands contradicted by the Ministry’s findings, revealing a stark disparity between claims and reality. The project’s approval by Assam’s PCCF and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) in 2023, despite evidence of permanent construction, further adds to the controversy.

Environmentalists and activists have voiced concerns over the irreversible damage caused to the forest ecosystem, urging stringent action against those accountable. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation, with authorities facing mounting pressure to uphold regulatory frameworks.

In response to the revelations, civil society groups have called for greater transparency and accountability in land use decisions, stressing the need for robust mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the fate of the commando camp project remains uncertain, casting a shadow over the delicate ecosystem of Assam’s protected forests.

27-04-2024

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