• UGI USER
  • Jun 01, 2024
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NGT ORDERS COMMITTEE TO SURVEY ASSAM RESERVE FOREST LAND DIVERSION

Why in the news?

  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to form a three-member committee.
  • The committee will survey a section of reserve forest on the Assam-Nagaland border.
  • The survey aims to assess the impact and legality of the land diversion.
source:medium

Understanding Assam-Nagaland land conflict:

  • Assam-Nagaland conflict centers on land encroachment since Nagaland’s creation in 1963.
  • Border spans 434 km; about 66,000 hectares are disputed across six sectors.
  • Several violent incidents, including 1979 and 1985, resulted in fatalities.
  • Talks held, but no resolution; dispute mediated by Supreme Court’s Boundary Commission.
  • 2014 violence led to over 10,000 displaced; Assam moved the Supreme Court.
  • 2020 saw high-level meetings for settlement; joint patrolling proposed.
  • November 2020 saw escalation over police camp; situation under control, awaiting court orders.
About the National Green Tribunal Act 2010:

  • Established:under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
  • Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi.
  • Additional locations: Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai.
  • Mandated :to dispose of cases within 6 months.
  • Chairperson appointed by the Central Government in consultation with CJI.
  • Selection Committee appointed for Judicial and Expert Members.
  • Established for environmental protection and conservation cases.
  • Has appellate jurisdiction.
  • Not bound by Civil Procedure Code but guided by natural justice principles.

What are Reserved forests ?

  • Reserved forests are the strictest forest category, formed by State Governments.
  • Access for locals is prohibited unless permitted by a Forest Officer during settlement procedures.

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