The Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has mandated the creation of a joint committee to investigate allegations of industrial encroachment and environmental harm near Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. This decision, dated August 27, 2024, comes in response to local concerns about the proliferation of brick kilns, cement factories, and stone quarries infringing upon the sanctuary’s proposed eco-sensitive zone.
The directive from the NGT follows a letter from Utpal Saikia and other concerned citizens regarding attempts by local industrialist Dilip Chetry to establish industrial facilities within this protected area. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is ecologically significant, housing diverse species including the famed one-horned rhinoceros, Indian buffaloes, deer, wild boars, pangolins, and various migratory birds.
This Tribunal order underscores the urgent need to safeguard this delicate ecosystem from the disruptive effects of industrial activities. The newly formed committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Assam State Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board, and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for Wildlife in Assam.
The committee is tasked with conducting an on-the-spot visit, assessing the actual situation, and submitting a comprehensive report within a month. The Central Pollution Control Board will act as the Nodal Agency to ensure coordination and adherence to the Tribunal’s directives.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 4, 2024. Given the proactive measures being implemented, it is expected that the NGT will take decisive steps to maintain the integrity of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary amidst growing industrial pressures. This case highlights the crucial role local communities play in preserving their ecological surroundings and the importance of swift governmental action to prevent environmental degradation.
