Counter affidavit by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in the matter of Pradeep Singh Shekhawat Vs State of Assam & Others dated 30/01/2025.

The application complained about the illegal constructions, including the illegal construction of road to Bhuban Hill, within the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary located in Cachar district, Assam, without obtaining prior approval from the Central Government as mandated by the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.

The report stated that the government of Assam had issued a notification dated July 25, 2022 published in the official gazette of Assam notiffing 320 sq km within the boundaries described in the notification as Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary, Cachar district, Assam.

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The court was informed that no proposal under either the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for consideration by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life or Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for seeking approval of the central government for construction of road to Bhuban Hill, within the Barak Bhuban Wildlife has been received in the Ministry till date.

Further, the state government has all the authority to take action and initiate proceedings against the wrongdoers in case of unauthorized construction or illegal encroachments.