The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed that a water supply project, proposed to be taken up atop the Sikharchandi Hill, which is considered as one of Bhubaneswar’s green lungs, be kept in abeyance.
Sachin Mohapatra, a resident of Daruthenga village, had moved the NGT stating that trees were indiscriminately felled and big boulders of Sikharchandi, which were associated with their religious sentiments, razed to make way for the water project. Mr. Mohapatra pointed out that the destruction of green cover would lead to disappearance of several species.
“Sikharchandi Hill is a part of eastern ghat mountains, which is extremely rich in bio-diversity with varied flora and fauna. Various rare species of wild and medicinal plants are abundant in this hill area. There is no forest clearance for cutting of trees as per the Forest (Conservation) Act,” the applicant had submitted to the NGT.
