“NGT ORDERS PROBE INTO ILLEGAL COMMANDO CAMP ON FOREST LAND”

Why in the news?

  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered an investigation into the alleged illegal construction of another commando camp on forest land in Assam’s Sivasagar district, following a petition by activist Rohit Choudhury.
  • The construction of the 2nd Assam Commando Battalion Camp on 28 hectares in Geleky Forest Reserve is accused of lacking approval from the Union Environment Ministry, violating Forest (Conservation) Law.
source:scribd

About National Green Tribunal (NGT):

  • Specialized body under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010).
  • Ensures effective disposal of environmental protection and conservation cases.
  • India became the third country globally to establish such a tribunal.
  • Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi; other places: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai.
About Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980:

  • Enacted on October 25, 1980.
  • Requires Central Government approval for forest land diversion for non-forestry purposes.
  • Aims to regulate such diversion to balance development needs and natural heritage conservation.
  • Establishment of “Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)” at the national level for monitoring.
  • Monitoring cell in the Ministry of Environment & Forests to oversee proposals and compliance with forestry clearances by user agencies.