Centre can only decide on diverting forest land for strong battalion infrastructure: NGT
NGT) has said that only the Centre can decide whether constructing a «strong» battalion infrastructure in a reserve forest area would impact the issue of conservation of forests. The green panel was hearing a plea alleging that Assam's forest department had illegally diverted 28 hectares of reserve forest for the establishment of the 2nd Assam Commando Battalion in the Assam-Nagaland interstate border area of Geleky Reserve Forest in Sibsagar district.
It also alleged that unauthorised permission was granted by the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M K Yadava, who «misused his power and position to divert a large part of the forest area» without taking consent from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
In an order passed on August 9, the eastern bench of the NGT comprising judicial member Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Arun Kumar Verma noted that an affidavit was filed by the present PCCF, stating the construction of the forest battalion was an «activity for forest conservation and management» and while undertaking it, no trees were felled.
«It is also stated that this destruction of forest tagged with security issues cannot be handled by the forest department alone and cannot be effectively tackled by remote policing; a large battalion camp is required for sheer deterrence and to stop further advancement of migrants and encroachers from across the border,» the bench noted.
It noted that the affidavit refuted the petitioner's allegation of an
