Baripada: The Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal has stayed the construction of a proposed hotel and resort project near the Similipal Tiger Reserve during a hearing held on Tuesday.
The bench, comprising Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member Ishwar Singh, passed the interim order after hearing arguments from all parties in the matter concerning alleged construction activities within the eco-sensitive zone of the tiger reserve.
Advocate Akash Sharma, appearing for the applicant, argued that nearly 100 acres of ecologically sensitive forest and hilly land in Mouza Lakshmiposhi under Shamakhunta Tahasil in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district was proposed to be used for a private hotel and resort project.
During the hearing, Respondent Nos. 1 and 3 — the Odisha Government and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Baripada Forest Division — appeared before the Tribunal. Respondent No. 5, Hotel Sonar Bangla, was also represented in the proceedings.
According to submissions made before the Tribunal, the land in question comprises dense Sal forest and forms an important wildlife corridor connected to the Similipal Tiger Reserve, making it environmentally sensitive.
The Chief Secretary of the Odisha Government and the DFO informed the Tribunal that they had no objection to the issuance of an interim stay order, following which the bench directed respondents including Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL), and Hotel Sonar Bangla to refrain from carrying out any construction or related activity on the disputed land.
The Tribunal specifically restrained the respondents from undertaking any activity on land under Khata No. 123, Plot No. 138 in Mouza Lakshmiposhi under Shamakhunta Tahasil.
The matter remains pending before the Tribunal, with the next hearing scheduled for July 31.
