GUWAHATI, Feb 16 � Kolkata-based Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given the �last chance� to the State Chief Secretary to submit the compliance report on the order of injunction restraining any construction work at �Training of river Beki on L/B (that is � Left Bank) and activation of river Manas and Hakua at Mathanguri.� The NGT Bench has asked the Chief Secretary to file the compliance report within four weeks from February 13.
Failing this, the Tribunal Bench said appropriate orders would be issued in the next date fixed for the case (Original Application No 25/2014/EZ Rohit Choudhury Vs Union of India and Others) on April 6, 2015.
The NGT Bench has also asked the Water Resources Department of the State to file an affidavit disclosing the compliance of the order by not proceeding with the construction work any further, annexing the relevant documents in support of the contention of its advocate.
It has also asked the Secretary to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to file an affidavit explaining as to why the Tribunal�s earlier order has not been complied with, by the next date.
Applicant Choudhury has prayed for an order to grant stay on all activities of the project �Training of river Beki on L/B and activation of river Manas and Hakua at Mathanguri�
located within the Manas National Park and Manas Tiger Reserve.
Choudhury alleged that the respondent no. 5 (State Water Resources Department) had started execution of work of �Training of river Beki on L/B and activation of river Manas and Hakua at Mathanguri.� This project was referred for necessary approval from the Planning Commission and Water Commission. It appears from the Annexure A-11 at page-37 of the original application relating to a detail estimate projected by the respondent no. 5 under item no. 4 that the work cost includes estimate for cutting and clearing of light jungles and trees up to 50-cm girth including uprooting roots and stamps and removing them from the site of work.
