The National Green Tribunal (NGT), accepting the petition of villagers against the Boudh Distillery Private limited, has asked the Boudh district Collector and the DFO to examine the allegation of misuse of forest land for laying of water pipes and take action soon.
The NGT has also asked them, SP, Chief Secretary, Forest Secretary and the Union Forest Secretary to submit replies before the next hearing fixed for February 9, informed villagers’ lawyer Sankar Prasad Pani.
According to the allegation, the Boudh Distillery is laying pipes for 4 km to draw water from the Mahanadi for its proposed 2 x 60 KlPD grain-based distillery plant and 2 x 2.5 MW power plant at Titrikata Mouza, Ramvikata. A total of 3.34 acres of land, including 1.47 acre Gramya Jungle land, is required for laying discourse.
Villagers of Fakir Pur, Titrikata, Bishnupur and adjoining villages, who have been protecting the forest, approached the NGT alleging that the forest land is being misused. Despite their protest, the district administration and project officials with help of around 200 police personnel forcefully dug the land on December 28.
Villagers’ counsel Pani pleaded that laying out the pipeline on forest land was carried out without approval from the Central Government under the Forest Conservation Act 1980. He further pleaded that the pipeline work be stalled and the pipeline be removed from the forest land. Petitioners prayed the court to take appropriate action against the district Collector and other Government officers for facilitating the illegal pipeline work on forest land.
Considering the grievance, the NGT issued notices on January 12, informed Pani.