GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & Head of Forest Force (HoFF), following allegations of illegally clearing protected forest land for a Commando Battalion headquarters in Barak Valley.
Taking Suo Motu cognizance of a news report published on December 25, the NGT has directed MK Yadava and key officials to appear before it on January 23 at Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.
The Deputy Registrar of the NGT, Arvind Kumar, stated in the summon notice that Yadava and the other officials “may appear before the Tribunal in person or by a pleader duly instructed, with your report”.
Failure to appear on the specified date will result in the application being heard and determined in their absence.
The allegations stem from a complaint filed by an environmental activist with the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The complaint accuses Yadava of bypassing mandatory procedures under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to grant permission for constructing the 2nd Assam Commando Battalion Unit headquarters within the Inner Line Reserved Forest in Hailakandi district.
The Inner Line Reserved Forest, established in 1877, spans 1,10,000 hectares and is renowned for its rich biodiversity, housing endangered species like the Hoolock Gibbon, slow loris, and clouded leopard.
The forest also plays a vital role as a habitat for elephants, tigers, and various bird species.
The complaint alleges that Yadava “misleadingly interpreted” the Forest Conservation Act, wrongly classifying the commando unit as an activity “ancillary to forest conservation” to justify the forest land diversion.
It further accuses him of not consulting the state or central government, as mandated by law, before granting permission.
Satellite imagery reportedly indicates that construction began before official permission was granted, potentially under Yadava’s instructions.
The NGT summons mark a critical juncture in the unfolding controversy, prompting heightened scrutiny of environmental practices and the protection of India’s diverse ecosystems.
