Guwahati Sept 27: In a recent environmental development, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to several key authorities, including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF), Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kamrup East Forest Division, Assam State Pollution Control Board (APCB), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Assam in connection with alleged illegal mining activities in the Goshala area of Maligaon, Guwahati.
The Eastern Zone Bench of the NGT, led by Judicial Member Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Expert Member Dr Arun Kumar Verma, was hearing an original application filed by Gautam Singh, Deputy Chief Engineer/Estate/Maligaon of Northeast Frontier Railway.
The tribunal has directed all respondents to submit counter-affidavits within four weeks.
The original application was registered by the NGT based on a petition sent via email on May 21 by Gautam Singh alleging that illegal mining and hill cutting had been taking place day and night for the past two months, significantly disturbing the local ecology and altering the drainage pattern.
He also highlighted the proximity of the Nambari railway officers’ colony, where senior officials, including the General Manager of NF Railway, reside. Complaints had been made about the loud noise from excavators and rock breakers disrupting the area.
In his petition, Singh expressed concerns about the potential threat to the local ecology, including the disturbance of the natural habitat, flora, and fauna. He had lodged a complaint with the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kamrup East Forest Division on May 3, but no action had been taken. Additionally, Sandeep Sharma, Principal Chief Engineer of NF Railway, also submitted a complaint on May 8 to the PCCF and HoFF, but again no action followed.
“Considering the allegations made, we direct PCCF and HoFF, , DFO of Kamrup East Forest Division, APCB through its Member Secretary; CPCB through its Member Secretary; and SEIAA to file affidavits before the Tribunal within four weeks,” the NGT bench said in its order passed on September 24.
The bench scheduled the next hearing for November 11, 2024.
Environment activist Rohit Choudhury, commenting on the NGT action, criticized the Assam government for its inaction despite complaints from senior Central government officials. In a post on X, Choudhury highlighted the ongoing illegal hill-cutting in the area, stating, “Senior officials of the Central government complain. But the state government does not act. Illegal hill-cutting goes on unabated near the iconic Maligaon Goshala. Finally, Hon’ble NGT had to step in.”
