Bhubaneswar: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged encroachment of 100 acres of forest land at Motu in Malkangiri district.
The NGT has issued notices to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Forest Department, and Malkangiri district Collector, seeking clarification on the unauthorized construction of roads, buildings, and wire fencing on encroached forest land in Malkangiri district. The NGT questioned how these infrastructure projects, funded through government schemes like MNREGA, were approved without proper clearance.
The NGT has directed respondents to submit their responses at least a week before the next hearing, scheduled for December 3 in this regard.
“If any respondent directly files the reply without routing it through his advocate then the said respondent will remain virtually present to assist the Tribunal,” read the notification issued by NGT.
