Guwahati, July 4: A recent communication from the Union Forest Ministry has revealed significant illegal activities involving the former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) in Assam. The focus is on the Geleky Reserve Forest and the Innerline Reserve Forest in Hailakandi, where extensive construction for police battalions has been conducted in blatant disregard of legal regulations.

In an affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the former PCCF and HoFF claimed that there was no unlawful diversion of 44 hectares of forest land at the Inner Line Reserve Forest, asserting that the area was designated for setting up tents for a commando battalion.

Contrary to these claims, an inspection by a team from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) revealed ongoing large-scale construction activities. Approximately 500 workers and vehicles were observed operating within a developed area of 11.5 hectares, with plinth areas nearing 30,000 square meters.

According to the Ministry's letter to the current head of the State Forest Department, the site did not align with the activities outlined in Section 2 of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. The inspection indicated that about 50% of the construction was completed without the necessary approvals from the Central government.

Documents obtained through an RTI request by conservationist Rohit Choudhury revealed that the Ministry emphasized that the former PCCF and HoFF, M K Yadava, lacked the authority to permit the clearing of forest land for non-forest purposes without Central government consent. Yadava received a showcause notice, but his explanation was found inadequate.

Further inspections at the Geleky Reserve Forest indicated that 80% of the construction was also completed without Central government authorization.

While the State government contended that these activities were aimed at forest protection and conservation, the Union Ministry rejected this argument as legally unfounded.

Both reserve forests have been identified as sites of serious violations of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam and associated rules, guidelines, and notifications, contravening established legal principles set by courts and tribunals.

The Ministry has instructed the concerned District Forest Officers (DFOs) to initiate legal proceedings against the responsible parties and submit an action report within 45 days. Additionally, the State government is required to provide monthly updates on the actions taken.