Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding encroachment and cutting of mangrove trees, Malta, West Bengal, 02/04/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Sonatan Biswas Vs District Forest Officer, Allpore & Others dated 02/04/2019 regarding encroachment, cutting of mangroves trees and construction of bamboo huts in the forests of Malta, West Bengal.
From the information gained from the case file, it's seen that as per orders dated 22/01/2018, the District Forest Range Officer has sent a report stating that in the year 2017 an inquiry was conducted which had reported encroachments, cutting of mangrove trees and construction of incomplete bamboo huts by some unknown dwellers, which was then informed to the police. But there is no mention of any further action taken by the Forest Department in this regard.
The Tribunal while expressing its displeasure at the lack of action by the Forest Department said that when something happens in the notified/ reserved forest land under the possession of the Forest Department, the empowered officers are supposed to take necessary action under the provisions of the Forest Act. The NGT directs the District Forest Officer, Alipur to file a detailed report within a period of one month.