Order of the National Green Tribunal regarding News Item titled "Assam: PCCF MK Yadava accused of illegally clearing protected forest for Commando Battalion" appearing in the Northeast Now News dated 25.12.2023 dated 14/03/2024.

In the application registered suo-moto, issue is about legality of diversion of 44 hectares of protected forest land for a Commando Battalion headquarters in Barak Valley and allegation is that it is being constructed by passing the mandatory procedures under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for the purpose of construction of the 2nd Assam Command Battalion Unit headquarter inside the Inner Line of Reserved Forest in Hailakandi district, Assam.

Plea of the state of Assam is that construction activity is the non-forest activity.

Counsel appearing for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) submitted that requisite information has been received by the MoEF&CC from the state and MoEF&CC would be filing the affidavit before the tribunal within two weeks making the stand of MoEF&CC clear.

Counsel for the applicant has referred to the photographs that show that large scale concrete permanent construction is going on. The court made it clear that if any illegal construction is raised by state authorities on the forest land during the pendency of the case then they will be doing so at their own risk and cost.