NGT imposes interim stay on construction of Pakhrau Tiger Safari in Uttarakhand
The Hindu
The tribunal's order came after it took cognisance of a news report that 600 trees have been illegally cut in Corbett Tiger Reserve
The National Green Tribunal has imposed an interim stay on Pakhrau Tiger Safari construction in Uttarakhand after taking note of a news report that 600 trees have been illegally cut in Corbett Tiger Reserve of the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve Division.
A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice A K Goel constituted a three-member committee and directed it to submit a report on this.
Accountability needs to be fixed for such violations and damage to the environment restored following due process of law, the green panel said.
"Accordingly, we constitute a three-member committee comprising DG, Forest Department, DG Wildlife Department and DG, Project Tiger to identify the violators and the steps required for restoration of the environment.
Also read: Central committee to probe ‘illegal’ felling of trees in Corbett National Park: NGT
"Its report with specific recommendations may be furnished to the Secretary, MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) within one month and steps for further course of action in the matter be finalised within the next one month. Till then the project may not be allowed to proceed," the Bench said.
The tribunal's order came after it took cognisance of a news report that 600 trees have been illegally cut in Corbett Tiger Reserve in Kalagarh Tiger Reserve Division in Uttrakhand. It also noted that the Forest Survey of India (FSI) was asked to assess the status of illegally felled trees.