Guwahati: Assam’s PCCF & HoFF, MK Yadava, is once again in soup over an affidavit that he filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in defence of the diversion of 44 hectares of forest land for non-site-specific construction activity on the Assam Police Commando Battalion Headquarters.
In his affidavit, PCCF MK Yadava claimed that the Reserve Forest land in question at Damcherra would be solely utilized for erecting tents for the Commando Battalion, which according to him is being established for safeguarding the Inner Line Reserve Forest in Hailakandi district in Assam. However, evidence from the satellite imagery as recent as January 21, 2024 suggests otherwise.
Contrary to Yadava’s assertions, Google Earth images, accessed by Northeast Now on February 20, 2024, reveal substantial concrete structures being erected after clearing the Reserve Forest and hill cutting in the area.
As recorded in the orders of NGT dated 15th February, PCCF Yadava in his affidavit denied any illegal diversion of forest land. However, the visual evidence contradicts his narrative, and shows extensive deforestation.
Furthermore, the Assam Police Housing Corporation awarded the construction tender over an area spanning 44 hectares.
Earlier, the Principal Bench of the NGT took suo-moto cognizance of the illegal diversion based on a news report titled “Assam: PCCF MK Yadava accused of illegally clearing protected forest for Commando Battalion,” published in Northeast Now on December 25 last year.
The NGT issued a notice to Yadava, directing his appearance before it on January 23.
Additionally, the NGT summoned the Inspector General of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the Assam Forest Department, and the Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate of Hailakandi district. The NGT further heard the matter on 15th February 2024 as well.
It is learnt that an environmental activist filed a complaint with the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), accusing MK Yadava of unlawfully diverting 44 hectares of reserved forest land for the construction of Commando Battalion Headquarters.
The complaint highlighted the circumvention of mandatory procedures under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The NGT has posted the matter for further hearing on March 14, 2024.