The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has directed the Assam government to take legal action against senior official MK Yadava for authorizing illegal construction inside reserve forests, including areas near the Assam–Nagaland border, in violation of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
The action follows an RTI query by Assam-based environmental activist Rohit Choudhury. Yadava, who was then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Head of Forest Force (HoFF), and Special Chief Secretary (Forests), is accused of permitting diversion of 11.5 hectares in Damchera Inner Line Reserve Forest in Hailakandi for constructing a commando battalion without Central government clearance. He also approved the diversion of 28 hectares in Geleky Reserve Forest, Sivasagar, close to Nagaland, for another Assam Police commando unit.
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The Shillong-based MoEFCC regional office, in letters dated May 25 and 29, asserted that Yadava had “no authority” to approve the land use changes without prior Centre approval. An inspection revealed large-scale permanent construction in Damchera forest covering 30,000 sq metres. Half the project was reportedly completed.
MoEFCC stated Yadava’s and the state’s responses to its show-cause notices were “not satisfactory” and directed Assam to submit an action-taken report within 45 days, expiring July 13.
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(With inputs from HT)