Judgement of the National Green Tribunal environmental damage to Keoti Village forests by the construction Bio Diversity Parks, Rewa District, Madhya Pradesh, 04/06/2016
Judgement of the National Green Tribunal (Central Zonal Bench, Bhopal) in the matter of Bio Diversity Management Committee, Rewa, Madhay Pradesh Vs Ministry of Environment & Forests & Others dated 04/06/2016 on the issue of environmental damage in Keoti Village forests by constructing Bio Diversity Parks by the government of Madhya Pradesh. It was also alleged that illegal mining was going on in the area and illegal construction was also being carried out in the name of development of tourism by using heavy machines and blastings. It was further alleged that „Tendu Patta‟ which is a biological resource was being permitted to be collected through contractors without securing the interest of the petitioner who has right to levy charges by way of collection fees from any person collecting any biological resource for commercial purpose.
NGT directs State Government of Madhya Pradesh "to expeditiously formulate guidelines and strategies in consultation with communities and experts to identify and document resources and knowledge associate with them and to protect and conserve such resources not only in Keoti Village but throughout the State and come out with proper method of sharing of benefits and flow of compensation to people and communities." The Judgement clearly stated that no mining of any sort, construction or alteration of habitat in any manner will be allowed in Keoti Village, District Rewa, Madhya Pradesh..