Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Vireshwar Singh Vs Union of India & Others dated 28/09/2022. The application sought enforcement of the NGT order, June 10, 2021 (E.A. No. 47/2019 in O.A. No. 325/2018, Gaurav Kumar Bansal v. UOI & Ors) directing finalization of notification under Section 26A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for protection of the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary by the state of Uttar Pradesh.

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The NGT, January 7, 2022 had sought factual and action taken report in the matter from Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment, Uttar Pradesh. In pursuance of the above order, status report has been filed by the Divisional Director, Social Forestry Division, Meerut mentioning some procedural steps taken and seeking further three month time for issuing final notification for the sanctuary in question.

The court refused to entertain the request and said that no proper justification was shown for the delay and refused to give extension of time for three months. Counsel for the state of Uttar Pradesh, on instructions from ACS, Forest and Environment, Uttar Pradesh undertakes that the final notification will be issued positively within 45 days.