The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha government to furnish a reply on its ongoing construction of cottages atop Deomali, which is considered the highest mountain peak in the State.
The Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), a Cuttack-based environmental pressure group, had moved eastern zone bench of NGT alleging that the project spread over 10.4 hectares or 26 acres of forestland required prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the construction was in violation of the Act.
Moreover, there had been no involvement of the local community or indigenous knowledge of making the house and household articles, which was also a violation of the Ministry of Environment, Forest Climate Change’s policy for eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas, the WSO pointed out. The NGT asked the government to respond to allegation within four weeks.
