Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding construction in forest land, Jakhpura, District Jajpur, Odisha, 09/10/2019
Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Kalinga Nagar Paribesh Surakhya Samiti Vs State of Odisha & Others dated 09/10/2019.
An application filed by Kalinga Nagar Paribesh Surakhya Samiti against construction of a logistics hub for industries in a Sal forest land, Jakhpura, District Jajpur, Odisha came up for consideration before the NGT on October 9, 2019. Around 11.97 hectares of land was encroached upon without any approval as required under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. Further, consent to opeate was also not obtained under the Air and the Water Acts and no environmental clearance obtained under the EIA Notification, 2006. Extraction of ground water without any approval of the Central Ground Water Board has also been alleged in the application.
The Tribunal directed the District Collector, Jajpur, the Divisional Forest Officer, Jajpur and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) to jointly inspect the area in question, verify on the factual position obtained at the site and submit a report. The OSPCB would be the nodal agency for coordinating and for providing logistic support. In the event the allegations are found to be correct appropriate action has to instituted against SAIZER Ltd in accordance with law and an action taken report filed.