NGT Imposes Penalty on DFO for Delay in Submitting Information on Sikharchandi Hills Case

NGT Imposes Penalty on DFO for Delay in Submitting Information on Sikharchandi Hills Case. Image/EPS

National Green Tribunal Penalizes Forest Officer for Delay in Providing Information

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 2,500 on the Chandaka divisional forest officer (DFO) for a delay in submitting information related to the degradation of Sikharchandi hills. The case concerns the suspension of construction activities in the area due to potential harm to biodiversity and endangered plant species in the ecosensitive hill region.

Observations by NGT Bench

During the hearing on Monday, the NGT bench expressed displeasure over the delay in the case and noted that the state government itself was not prosecuting the matter diligently. The bench questioned why the state respondents did not promptly file the documents via affidavit, especially since the case had been pending since June 12, 2023, and a stay order was already in place.

Penalty and Next Hearing

The bench directed the forest officer to pay the fine within a week, and it stated that the filing of a new affidavit by the Forest department would only be allowed after the fine was deposited. The case has been scheduled for the next hearing on October 12. Construction activity in the Sikharchandi hills, located in the Chandaka Wildlife Division on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, has been halted by the NGT due to concerns about potential harm to biodiversity and endangered plant species in the area.

Biodiversity Heritage Site Appeal

Sachin Mohapatra, the petitioner, has appealed to the NGT to declare Sikharchandi hill a biodiversity heritage site. Given the hill’s rich biodiversity, two elected sarpanchs have already requested the chairman of the State Biodiversity Board to designate the hill as a biodiversity heritage site and halt all activities that could harm its biological resources.

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