The National Green Tribunal has stated that apparently “the laws were thrown to the winds” for construction of flood protection wall along the Song river in the Motichur range of the Rajaji National Park to protect the Gohri Mafi village from the threat of flood.
Hearing on an application filed by Social Action for Forest and Environment (SAFE) against the violation of provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 in construction of the wall in the Motichur-Gohri corridor in Rajaji, the NGT had earlier ordered a stay on the construction of this wall in April this year. In its latest orders in this case on August 26, the tribunal listed the matter on September 23 as the counsel appearing for the State has sought time to take instructions from the Government to make a statement to the effect that the wall in question will be removed.
In the NGT order dated August 26, a copy of which is with The Pioneer, the tribunal states, “We have partly heard the parties. Apparently, we find that the laws were thrown to winds and construction of the wall measuring about 900 metres in length and three metres in height had been already carried out in the national park. learned counsel for MoEF pointed out that before granting any such permission, the chief wildlife warden ought to have sought permission under Section 35, sub-clause 6 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the activity in question is in clear violation of the provisions of Forest Conservation Act.
learned counsel appearing for the State seeks time to take instructions from the Government to make a statement that the wall in question will be removed and she would submit to the process of law.” The matter is now listed on September 23. It will be recalled that earlier on April 28 the tribunal had ordered a stay on the construction of this wall as prima facie the construction of the wall was seen as an obstruction in the movement of wildlife along with the elephant corridor. The application filed on behalf of SAFE by its president VK Tongad stated that the wall was being constructed in an area which is part of the Motichur-Gohri elephant corridor. Wildlife activists in Uttarakhand had also opposed construction of this wall on the grounds that it would hamper movement of elephants and tigers.