NGT Issues Notice To Centre On Plea Challenging Odisha’s Deomali Eco-Tourism Complex Construction

The eastern zone bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to centre and Odisha government on application challenging construction of Deomali Eco-Tourism Complex without Environmental Clearance in Odisha.

Wildlife Society of Odisha through Advocated Sankar Prasad Pani has filed an application challenging the ongoing large scale permanent construction work of Deomali Eco-tourism Complex in Deomali Hill, stated to be a forest land under Semiliguda Forest Range in Koraput Forest Division.

It is alleged that the construction work is “without Forest Clearance under the gab of Ecotourism.” The very act of large scale permanent construction is against the principle of Sustainable Development, Precautionary Principle and Supreme Court order in Godavarman Case, the applicant submitted.

Considering the matter, the bench of Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and Dr. Arun Kumar Verma issued notice to the State and Central government authorities.

The bench noted that, it is alleged that the Deomali Project is included under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of infrastructure to boost inflow of tourists. “The Project is in addition to Rs.16 crores sanctioned by the Tourism Department for integrated development of the hill,” it added.

The plea also highlights that, “the present proposal for Eco-tourism there has been no involvement of the local community or indigenous knowledge of making house and household articles which is in violation of MoEF&CC letter dated 19.09.2018 stating the policy for Eco-tourism in Forest and Wildlife area.”

Case Title: Wildlife Society of Odisha v. State of Odisha & Ors.

For Applicant : Sankar Prasad Pani, Advocate.

For Respondents : Tarun Patnaik, ASC for R-1 to 5,

Apurba Ghosh, Advocate for R-7,

Ms. Amrita Pandey, Advocate for R-8.

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