NEW DELHI, Nov 11 - The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday warned the Assam Government threatening that its Chief Secretary will be sent to jail if its orders on animal deaths in Kaziranga National Park due to accidents on the national highway are not complied with.
The government can organise a rally in a few days, but it �takes years to implement our orders,� observed the NGT.
�If a government has to organise a political rally it is done within days, but you have not been able to do anything over these years. We will send your Chief Secretary to jail for non-compliance of our orders. You cannot play jokes with the orders of the tribunal,� an NGT Bench headed by its chairman Swatanter Kumar said.
The green panel directed the State Government to submit a complete status report on installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers, vehicles with interceptor speed sensors by December 15, the next date of hearing.
The NGT slammed the State Government over the large number of animal deaths in the Kaziranga National Park due to traffic movement on the NH-37 that passes through the home of the famous one-horned rhino.
�Why don�t you take steps to save the animals from being killed? Why should you kill the animals unnecessarily? Why haven�t you expedited the fixation of installation of sensor-operated automated traffic barriers? You are not complying with our orders since last one and half years,� it said.
The NGT also sought a report on the exact number of animal casualties so far in road accidents on the national highway.
During the hearing, the Secretary of the State Transport department was also present and the official assured the Bench that requisite steps would be taken to ensure the safety of animals and to implement the directives of the NGT.
The green panel�s directives came during a hearing on a plea filed by environmentalist Rohit Choudhury opposing the expansion of the NH-37 portion from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat that passes through the national park.
The NGT had earlier ordered demolition of roadside shops and eateries along the animal corridors near the national park, among a slew of directions in the wake of increasing wildlife casualties due to vehicular movement on the highway.
The Gauhati High Court had stayed the order on demolishing shops and dhabas located within 100 metres of the NH-37.
The green panel had also asked the Assam Government to ensure fixation of sensor-operated automated barriers at the animal corridors and ascertain whether speed-check cameras were in working condition or not.
